WHO IS JESUS? JESUS – THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PERSON IN HISTORY • • •
Jesus tops almost every list of most important historic person Jesus has more written about him than any other Jesus will become the most important person for your life
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we are saved.” (Acts 4:12) Why is Jesus one of the most well-known historic figures? He is the top of almost every list of most famous or most significant persons in history. Yet he only lived 33 years on this earth. Although onethird of the people on the earth claim to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior, even those who don’t follow him know something about him. Several global celebrations and calendars revolve around his life. Only those who have been isolated from global influence have no knowledge of who he is. The topic of Jesus gets almost 25 million Google searches per month, and it is estimated that about 52 million books in circulation today are in some way about Jesus. But the books that provide the most accurate information of his life are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They are a few of the 66 books in the Bible – a set of 1500 years of books that unfold the story of Jesus. John writes, “This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:24-25) Jesus is significant – not because of popularity, but because of who he is. He is significant because of what he has done for the world…and how important he is for your life. He is most significant because God himself says so and requires us to honor him. Read further to discover more.
JESUS, OUR GREATEST POSSESSION • • •
Things of this world can’t satisfy the heart Jesus is the treasure worth seeking It is worth giving up everything else to have what Jesus offers
“Do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:29-31) There are so many people in this world who are dissatisfied with what they have and long for the life they see in others. They see the wealth of the wealthy and covet their lifestyle. They wish they could discover some buried treasure that would make them rich. Jesus however warns us that those things
can’t satisfy the heart. Instead, having a heart that is in love with riches, and expecting them to make you happy, becomes the root of all sorts of evil. The heart easily gets consumed with just wanting more and more things. What many people overlook are the damages to relationships and often the harm to life itself in pursuing and living for material possessions. Once a rich young ruler came to Jesus to ask what he had to do to be saved. Jesus knew how much that man loved his riches. Because the man’s wealth had become like a god to him, Jesus tested him by saying, “Sell all you have and give it to the poor.” The man went away sad because his riches were more important to him than his relationship with God. Jesus told the people, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” He then went on to tell about a rich farmer who just wanted to build more barns. All he wanted was to have an easy life so he could sit back to eat, drink and be merry. But then that night he died and had to leave it all. “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” But there is something that is worth owning. It is the most valuable treasure in life – the kingdom of God, the working of God in our hearts and ruling our lives. Jesus illustrated that with a parable about a person who was walking through a field and stumbled over a buried treasure. He immediately sold all he had to buy the field and own the treasure. In a similar way Jesus talked about a person looking for pearls. When he came across the pearl of great price. He also sold all he had in order to have that treasure. Jesus is that treasure, that pearl for your life. Jesus told his followers, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” Jesus is our most precious treasure. What he gives to us cannot be compared to anything this world has to offer. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to God the Father except through him. No money or possessions can buy a relationship with God and bring us the blessings of having God on our side now and forever. No treasure on earth can compare to the inheritance Jesus has set up for us in the mansions of heaven. This is the treasure to seek above everything else in your life. You will find it in the Bible.
JESUS – FULFILLMENT OF PROPHESIES • • •
For thousands of years people waited for his birth The prophets spelled out many details describing him Jesus accurately fulfilled what was prophesied
“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Jesus in Luke 24:27) Jesus is a name honored by billions over the years. He was born during the time of Caesar Augustus (Octavian) over two thousand years ago. But even thousands of years before he was born, people were waiting for his birth. They knew it would be the birth of the promised Messiah for the world.
Already beginning with the first people on earth, God promised that a savior would come to crush the power of evil that had entered their world. God promised to Abraham that the Messiah would be one of his descendants and become a blessing for every people. Later, God described that the coming Messiah would be of the royal bloodline of King David and rule over all things forever. Prophet Micah said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and he was. Isaiah said the Messiah would be wounded and pierced for our wrong-doings. As Jesus hung on a cross, he brought us the healing we need between us and God. There are many other prophesies about the coming Messiah that Jesus fulfilled. It is impossible for all of them to happen by chance in a small child born to Mary and Joseph. These are amazing proofs of the inspiration of the Bible and the accuracy of its message. Jesus is the One we need to pay attention to, because all of history pointed to him. These prophecies were all from God who keeps his promises. He keeps them even when it seems to us that it is taking a long time or not happening the way we expected. His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts not like ours. They are higher than ours as heaven is high above the earth. Learn how those promises affect your life.
JESUS – BORN OF A VIRGIN • • •
The miracle birth was that Jesus was born of a young virgin Jesus is the Son of the Most High God who created the universe He is Immanuel – God with us – to fix the greatest problem of our lives
“In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1,14) One of the prophesies about the Messiah comes from the prophet Isaiah who said, “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (which in Hebrew means “God with us”). Luke starts out his record of the actual events with the angel Gabriel coming to a young girl named Mary. The angel told her she was going to have a child without having had any sexual relationships with a man. It would be a miracle birth, but “nothing is impossible with God.” The angel also told Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, to get married to her now so the child would have a father to help care for him. Amazing, not just a miracle birth, but a miracle person. The angel told Mary that this child would become known as the “Son of the Most High God.” The writer John explains that this was God himself, the creator of the universe. He left the power and glory over the heavens to enter as a helpless child totally dependent on his parents. Wise men from the East even made a long journey to follow where they knew a star would lead them – to the feet of the Messiah. They were so thrilled to find him. When they saw him, they worshipped him
and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Jesus’ mother Mary thought about these amazing events and treasured them in her heart. Our God is not a distant God who just watches in comfort from a distance and doesn’t care about our situations. He is the Immanuel, the “God with us,” the one who would become one of us. God became a human being who would be able to relate to our challenges, stresses, hopes, joys, fears, and pain. But more important, Jesus would be the one who could take our place in fixing the greatest problem of our life. This is the miracle and mystery of Christmas!
THE MINISTRY OF JESUS • • •
At 30 years old Jesus became a public figure Jesus trained 12 men he chose to be his close followers, his disciples His ministry was seen as a threat by those who despised his love and truth
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) For his first 30 years of life not much was recorded about Jesus. We only know that he grew up under the care of his parents. At 12 years old he amazed the teachers of the Scriptures by sharing his insights. Not much more is said of his early years except he “grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom…and grew in favor with God and men.” During his life he was regularly tempted by the devil and tempted by others but always showed a response that resisted evil. His love and obedience showed he was without sin. At 30 years old he became a public figure. It started with a baptism by his cousin John. During the baptism the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the physical form of a dove. Then the voice of God the Father spoke from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love: with you I am well pleased.” This was God the Father and God the Holy Spirit officially and dramatically pointing to Jesus and saying: “This is the one. This is the Savior.” With this action God set Jesus apart with power to actively carry out His ministry. For three years Jesus served people’s needs and taught about God and our life before him. He chose a group of 12 men to be his disciples. They would follow him wherever he went, listen to what he taught, and imitate how he interacted with God and people. It was a training time for them. At times thousands of people would gather sometimes even forgetting to eat because they were more hungry and thirsty for what Jesus had to say than to fill their stomachs. Jesus’ ministry and message not only drew a loyal following but also irritated others. Some felt threatened by the truth he revealed and the claims he made. That seemed to hinder his ministry and eventually end it. But the end was really a beginning of his victory which he wants to share with you.
THE MIRACLES OF JESUS
• • •
Jesus cured blindness, made the lame walk, and even raised people from death Jesus’ main concern was for people’s status with God His miracles revealed his compassion and that he was the Messiah
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31) It amazed everyone at the wedding banquet. Jesus saw that they had run out of wine. So he miraculously changed large jars of water into wine. It was the first of many, many miracles of Jesus that people would witness during the routine interactions of life. His power as God would become evident over and over again. One time a group of 5,000 men plus women and children had gathered to listen to him. He told his disciples (12 chosen followers) to feed them. They thought it was impossible. But Jesus took the five loaves and two small fish that one boy had along and multiplied them into enough to feed the whole crowd…with even 12 baskets of leftovers. Jesus cured blindness, opened the ears of those who were deaf, and make the rotting skin of lepers new again. He drove out demons in demon-possessed people. He calmed the seas and walked on water. He brought people back to life after they had died, including the dead son of the widow of Nain, Jesus’ friend Lazarus, and Jairus’ daughter. One day Jesus was teaching in a house when a man’s friends lowered the man through the roof in order to place him right in front of Jesus. The first words out of Jesus’ mouth were, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” That shocked the people. Was that what the friends wanted for him? The teachers of the law claimed Jesus had no authority to forgive sins. But to prove he had such authority and to show his concern for the man, he said, “Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” he said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of all of them. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying “we have never seen anything like this!” All this led many people to see Jesus as the promised Messiah. He knew that the greatest illness was sin which separates us from God and his blessings. Jesus knew forgiveness was key to restoring that relationship. That is what he came to accomplish and give. THE MESSAGE OF JESUS • • •
Jesus taught about the mysteries of God and his plans for us He taught that God’s will can be summarized with the phrase to love God and love our neighbors Those who rejected Jesus’ message missed out on the life he gives
Jesus said,” Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds
blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24-25) Jesus spent much of his three years of ministry teaching people about God and the mysteries of his plans for us. One time he taught great crowds in what people call the Sermon on the Mount. He described that what God values is often upside down from what the world values. He told them that God defines evil not just in outward actions but in the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Jesus taught them that the main part of all of God’s commands comes down to this “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” He showed them that greatness consisted in having the humility of a little child. It is about being willing to be the servant to help others rather than grabbing the glory and attention for yourself. He told them not to be filled with anxiety over life or the future, but to put those into the hands of God who cares for those details. Jesus used many everyday items to teach his followers in parables (stories with spiritual meanings). He said he is the vine and we are the branches. We bear fruit when we are connected with him like the branches that remain in the vine. He talked about his word being like seed that a farmer casts into the fields. Some of the seed failed to grow because birds snatched it away (people hear God’s word and they lost it due to temptations). Some of the seed did not take root because it fell on rock. Others were choked out by the weeds (people hear God’s word and receive it, but soon the worries of life overtake it). But seed that fell on fertile soil bore much fruit (people hear God’s word, accept it, and produce a crop). Jesus helped people understand the real intentions of God throughout history. He told them that one day he would return as Judge over everyone. He would separate those whom he will take to heaven for eternal joy from those who will go to hell to suffer eternally. Jesus’ teachings angered the religious leaders of his day not only because it didn’t match what they had been telling people. He also addressed their hypocrisy and the damage they were doing with their manmade laws and teachings. What upset them most was that Jesus said he was the Son of God, the Messiah of the world. Those who rejected that message missed why he came and lost out on the tremendous gift of life he gives. What about you?
JESUS EXPOSES THE IMPACT OF SIN • • •
Jesus’ initial message – “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” Jesus showed that a sinful nature lies deep in our hearts He came to provide the way out of eternal punishment
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:37-38)
It is easy for us to look around and condemn what we see as evil in the world. But Jesus makes it personal. His initial message was to everyone. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” When people thought only an outward crime was sin, Jesus pointed out that even thinking lustful thoughts was already viewed by God as the evil of adultery; even hating someone in your heart was also like the evil of murder. He showed that love wasn’t just for those who loved you too, but was a commitment to do good even toward those who act as enemies. Jesus showed he values everyone and was comfortable eating and drinking with those whom the elite considered “sinners.” Jesus addressed the hypocrisy of people who tried to make themselves look spiritual and righteous in public when they themselves were far from perfect. He exposed people’s pride that caused them to overlook their faults and reject a need for a Savior. He told them that if you don’t forgive others when they sin against you, what are you expecting from God when you ask him for forgiveness? “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eyes,” Jesus said, “and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” He addressed leaders who did not practice what they preached. He called them poisonous snakes. He described them as whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead man’s bones. The Bible says, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill your soul. Fear him who has power to throw you into hell.” Be ready, Jesus tells us, because the Son of Man will come when we least expect it and return to judge the world. Jesus came to draw sinful humanity back to God. He talked about how he longed to gather the people of Jerusalem together, as a hen gathers her chick under her wings, but many were not willing. He told them, whoever is not with me is against me. He grieved over those who rejected him. This is why he came – to replace our sinful life with his holy life. He came to carry the burden and punishment of our sins as he hung on a cross to die. He did it so we could avoid eternal punishment and instead share the glory of heaven with him.
JESUS REVEALS THE HEART OF GOD • • •
God sent his Son because he loved the world so much。 Jesus treated people with love and compassion Jesus’ death for us revealed the greatness of God’s love
“No one has ever seen God, but God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.” (John 1:18) Our guilt and shame and our criticism of ourselves cause us to see God as the stern judge. But he is more than judge. He is the solution. The Bible says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” That is the heart of God. Jesus illustrated that heart for people when he told a parable of a shepherd who left his 99 sheep who were safe and risked his life to save the one who had strayed away into danger. He pictured his heavenly Father as the father who welcomed back his wayward son with open arms and with a celebration of rejoicing. But Jesus didn’t just talk about that love. The way he treated people helped them understand God. Not only did his miracles of healing show the compassion of God, he often went against culture to show how to value others. He ate and drank with those that the religious leaders avoided or labeled sinners. He touched and healed lepers whom others feared. One day he sat next to a Samaritan woman at a well to tell her about the living water of life. He doing so he was breaking the customs of the Jews that taught people to avoid foreigners and not talk to a woman in private conversation. Another time the religious leaders were ready to stone to death a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. Jesus stopped them and said, “whoever is without sin, let him throw the first stone.” One by one they dropped the stones and walked away. They knew that they also had their sinful faults. Jesus then told the woman, “If they don’t convict you, neither do I. But go and sin no more.” Jesus interacted with all sorts of people so that he could lead them to see that he is the true light of life that dispels the darkness, the water that quenches the spiritual thirst. Soon the people would see how deep the heart of God is towards them. At the cross the God of Justice would place on Jesus the punishment demanded for our sins. He would put Jesus to die on the cross to become the sacrifice that frees us. The Bible says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
JESUS DIED AS OUR SACRIFICE • • •
Sacrifices taught that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world By dying on the cross Jesus took our punishment on him and freed us
“But now he has appeared once for all … to do away with sins by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26) Throughout the Bible there were many instructions and examples of sacrifices to make up for the sinful actions of people. The Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Lambs and goats and cattle would be routinely killed and sacrificed for the sins of the people –for worship and specifically for special sins. The blood would often be sprinkled on the altar and sometimes on the people. It all symbolized that the life of another had to be taken in place of us so that we could
live. All the sacrifices themselves didn’t bring forgiveness and life, but were shadows of the real thing that would come. They prepared hearts to turn and trust in Jesus. One of the Jewish festivals was the Passover. It is the time Jews celebrated their freedom from slavery. During the festival meal they remembered how God told their ancestors to kill a perfect, blameless, lamb. They were to spread its blood on the doorframe to their home so the angel of death would “pass over” their families. This and all other sacrifices looked ahead to the real sacrifice that would be done once for everyone and for all times. That complete and final sacrifice was Jesus who would make people perfect by forgiving their sins and no longer remembering those sins. Early in Jesus’ ministry, his cousin John pointed to him and said “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus knew what was ahead of him. At a certain point in his ministry he began to explain to his disciples that he “must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” At first it seemed to Jesus’ followers that everything was falling apart. After celebrating the Passover with Jesus, they went out to a place called Gethsemane. There a large crowd sent by the chief priest came after Jesus with swords and clubs. Jesus willingly went with them. They conducted several illegal trials. They falsely accused him of many things. They used as evidence against him that he claimed to be God, an accusation which they deemed a crime worthy of death. After whipping and slapping him around, the Roman soldiers put a crown of thorns on his head and mocked him as the King of the Jews. They finally dragged him out of the city and nailed him to a cross. The Roman governor put a title over his head saying “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Hanging suspended on the cross Jesus said, “It is finished” and died. God had punished his Son instead of us for the sins we have committed. It was God’s plan all along that he already promised hundreds of years earlier with the prophecy, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
JESUS CAME ALIVE TO GIVE US LIFE • • •
Jesus told people he would come alive after he died. Many didn’t believe it He appeared to many people after he came alive so there were witnesses Forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended back up into heaven。
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”(John 11:25,26) How many people do you know that have said they would die and then come alive 3 days later? Many prophesies point to Jesus as the one who would not stay in the grave. Jesus reminded his followers of this, but they seemed to easily forget. After Jesus died, several of his followers took him down from the cross and put him in the cave-like tomb of a rich man who provided it for burying Jesus. They didn’t have time to do all the preparations
to Jesus’ dead body, because it was almost time to observe their Sabbath holy day. So on the third day several women went to the tomb to put some spices on the body of Jesus to finish the burial customs. They weren’t sure how they would get in since there was no one to roll away the stone. Besides, out of fear of Jesus’ prophesies that he would come alive, the religious leaders convinced the Roman government to put a seal on the tomb and post a guard so nothing would happen. When the women got to the tomb they saw it was open. Suddenly two angels stood beside them and said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen just as he said he would.” On their way back, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” He then appeared to Mary Magdelene who recognized his voice. Later in the day he walked along the road to Emmaus with two others who at first didn’t recognize who he was. He explained to them from Scripture how all these things were meant to be. Then in the evening the disciples hid with the door locked out of fear of those who had crucified Jesus. Suddenly Jesus appeared among them. “Peace be with you,” he told them. “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see.” After that he appeared to 500 people at one time. He wanted people to really know he was alive. Forty days later he gathered his disciples and gave them departing instructions to be witnesses of these things to all the world. Then he rose up into the sky and disappeared from their sight. What an encouraging end to his time on earth and a completion of this part of God’s mission to save us. Then the disciples worshiped him with joy, continually praising God. Ten days later, Jesus powerfully sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples at the feast of Pentecost. They were filled with courage and wisdom to go out and tell others so that many more could also have this new life that comes from Jesus.
JESUS BECOMES OUR KING • • •
The prophesies announced him to be the descendant of King David His kingdom is not like this world’s kingdom and will extend over the world His kingdom spreads around the world and changes the hearts of people
“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16). The week when Jesus was convicted and hung on a cross to die actually started out with Jesus being celebrated like a king. He sat on a young donkey and rode into Jerusalem. People spread their coats on the ground before him and waved palm branches. They shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” They were claiming him to be the Messiah who would rule as king. It didn’t take long for the jealousy of the religious leader to reach a high point. They plotted to kill him and got the Roman government to authorize it. But as Jesus told them, his kingdom was beyond this world and not like the kingdoms of this world. Little did they know that his death on the cross secured his place as king. Not only did he fulfill the prophesies, but he won the battle against Satan that gave
Jesus and us the victory. Now his kingdom would spread around the world and change the hearts of people. This would continue on until all those who will believe in him are brought fully into that kingdom in heaven. No one can enter that kingdom, Jesus told them, unless they are born anew in their hearts. It is where the Holy Spirit works for “the kingdom of God is within you.” After he had spent about 40 days teaching some final lessons to his followers, Jesus was lifted up into the air in front of them until they couldn’t see him anymore. He told them he was returning to his Father’s house and would return one day to bring them (and us) there also. By ascending into the sky, Jesus reminded them that he is all-powerful and will rule over all things with their best interest in mind. He came to fulfill what Isaiah prophesied to be the Prince of Peace who would reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom forever. He now is in the position of power in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion. He is the head over everything for the church. Finally at the end of the Bible we have the special revelation of Jesus, a vision that he gave to Apostle John. John describes him as receiving the worship of the heavenly crowds singing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” If it seems this world is out of control, look up to heaven and remember who rules all things for the sake of his people and his plans for the world.
JESUS WILL RETURN AS JUDGE • • •
No one but God knows the end of the world but it will come one day There are plenty of signs to prepare us to get ready for that day On that day Jesus will separate those who follow him from those who reject him
“The day of the Lord will come like a thief (unexpected, suddenly)…. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?” (2 Peter 3:10-11) Jesus told his followers that they needed to be prepared for the end of the world. Many would predict it, but no one knows the day or hour when it will come – no one except God himself. Before it comes there will be wars and rumors of wars. Nations will rise up against nations. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. These will all happen, but don’t be alarmed, he told them. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. They are like the beginning of birth pains. Jesus told them that his followers will “be handed over to be persecuted and put to death. False prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” At the end, the sun will be darkened and the stars will fall from the sky. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all nations will see him coming on the clouds with power and great glory. Apostle Paul tells us that every knee will then bow before him and finally recognize and
acknowledge that he is Lord over all. He will come to collect those who belong to him by faith but turn away all those who reject him as Savior. Then heaven and earth will pass away. Jesus tells us to live in watchfulness and faithfulness because the Son of Man may come when you do not expect him. Those who ignore Jesus will hear the King say, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” But those who know God’s grace in Jesus and depend on his forgiveness won on the cross will hear him say, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Because of this bright future, those who follow Jesus approach life differently. Every day of their lives is filled with opportunities to show concern for others. They look for ways to use the talents and resources he has given them so that others may know of Jesus’ love and come to trust in him.
JESUS BRING US TO HEAVEN • • •
Jesus told the world he is the only way to God and those who believe will live Jesus promised his followers that he would come to bring them to heaven Heaven will be the perfect place – no pain or death – just joy with God
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:13) When Jesus told his disciples that he would be leaving this earth to go to heaven, they were feeling a bit lost. But he affirmed that he would still be with them, and that greater things are coming. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” he said. “Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms…I am going there to prepare a place for you…and will come back and take you to be with me that you may be where I am.” His followers asked, “Lord, how can we know the way to where you are going?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In the book of Revelation, which is at the end of the Bible, Jesus gave to John a vision of what heaven will be like. John saw a Lamb, looking as if had been slain, standing in the center of the throne. He heard the voices of thousands upon thousands of angels singing, “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise.” He describes a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb (Jesus). “They are the ones who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Never again will they hunger or thirst or feel the scorching heat for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd and lead them to springs of living water. God himself will be with them and be their God and will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He will make everything new, and those who overcome by faith will inherit all of this. He describes it to be beautiful like a city built with precious jewels and streets paved with pure gold. Nothing impure will
ever enter it. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city and they will see the face of God. It is all yours by faith in what Jesus did for you – to be experienced immediately at your death or after he comes again at the end of the world (whichever comes first). Jesus says, “I am coming soon” and sends out his invitation “Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come take the free gift of the water of life.” “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”