Tag: alive
Jesus has the Keys!
Scripture reading for November 30th: Revelation 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 1:17-18 “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
John, the disciple who Jesus loved, wrote the final book of our Bible. It is a revelation of Jesus Christ! As John was worshiping God while imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos, he was given a vision of Jesus Christ standing before Him in resurrection glory. This caused John to fall down as a dead man! Jesus put His hand on him and spoke to him in words of revelation and reassurance! As One who tasted death for all mankind, and now was risen victorious over death, Jesus told John that He now possessed the keys of death and Hades and was alive for ever and ever!
Observations for over-comers: The resurrected Christ hold our key over death and Hades and tells us not to fear anything! “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever–yes, for ever and ever.” (Daniel 7:18)
Jesus the Risen Lord!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Matthew 28
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He is risen, just as He said.”” (Matthew 28:1-6) This angelic visitation brought a violent earthquake and terror to those soldiers guarding the tomb! The stone was rolled back while they were ‘like dead men’. This angel spoke to the women who had followed Jesus and told them not to be afraid but to tell the disciples!
As they hurried away, Jesus Himself met them with a greeting! They fell at His feet and worshiped! He also assured them and calmed their fears, sending them to the disciples. The guards, however, ran to the chief priests and told them what had happened. They devised a plan and a story to cover up the angel’s appearance and empty tomb! The lie was widely circulated and even today is believed by those with hard hearts!
Matthew records Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
I Know My Redeemer Lives!
Scripture reading for May 24th: Job 18-19
The attack on Job’s character by his friends continued with Bildad the Shuhite. Bildad harshly accused Job of being wicked and not knowing God. (Job 18:21) He told Job of the destruction that awaited him if he didn’t deal with his problem of sin. These statements were very presumptive and showed that he had not listened to Job. They certainly did not give Job any comfort and brought further suffering his way. (Job 19:2-3)
As Job was being attacked and it forced him to evaluate his beliefs. He went to God for answers, but even God seemed to be against him. (Job 19:8) He was opposed by his own friends and even his wife. He looked at his own body, which was skin and bones and knew that he might not be long for this earth. He asked for pity from his friends and began to state his true feelings! (Job 19:21-22)
Job wished that his words would be recorded! He stated a belief that his redeemer lived and that he would see him one day, even if he died. This belief in resurrection is what Christ gives each one of His followers! We have a permanent dwelling place with the Lord to look forward to! (2nd Corinthians 5:1-2) To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord! (2nd Corinthians 5:8) The “blessed hope” is the soon appearing of Jesus Christ for His people! (Titus 2:13) We are watching for this event as we walk through each day. For those who are ready, there will be a sudden appearing of Jesus to take His people to be with Him! (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18) This will be a glorious day for each of us!
If you lack the understanding of a living redeemer and your personal redemption, today is a good day to do something about that. Ask the Lord for mercy and place your trust in Jesus Christ, His Son. Whoever calls on the Lord, will be saved!
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son as life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.“ 1st John 5:11-13