Tag: John 19:30
“It is Done!”
Scripture reading for December 22: Revelation 16
“The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been on earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.” Revelation 16:17-21
John observed as the seven angels poured out their golden bowls of God’s wrath on the earth. As the seventh angel poured out his bowl on the air of earth, a loud voice from God’s throne announced, “It is done!” This announcement reminds us of Jesus’ last loud cry from the cross, as He gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)(Matthew 27:50) This final bowl produced amazing judgments on the earth. There was a tremendous earthquake that leveled all mountains and submersed all islands. The great city, Jerusalem, was split into three parts and the cities of the nations fell. The world system of antichrist, Babylon the great, was made to drink the final cup of God’s wrath. John saw hailstones weighing about one hundred pounds falling on people of the earth. Instead of repentance, they cursed the God of Creation.
God desires that no man would be lost so He provided His Son to take His wrath against sin. He invites all mankind to receive this mercy and has sent His believing children to share the Gospel. John is allowed to witness the final wrath poured out on those refusing His Son. He sent three angels to invite and warn mankind one last time. But those on the earth refuse repentance and curse God for their hopeless plight. They have believed the lie and are damned.
Have you considered God’s just and true judgments outlined here for us to receive warning and escape? Have you considered your own appointment with death and judgment? What are you doing to help others escape these judgments?
Prayer: Father, thank You that “It is finished!” I receive the finished work of Jesus Christ as my gift of mercy and forgiveness. I don’t want justice, but need mercy. Help me to live by faith and share the Gospel of grace with a world in darkness. Amen.
Sin and death
Scripture reading for February 1st: Leviticus 1-3
Leviticus 3:16 “And the priest shall burn them (kidneys and fat) on the altar as a food offering with a pleasing aroma. All fat is the Lord’s.” It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”
This book of Scripture was not originally one I liked to read. But after careful and prayerful reflection, I began to understand. Sin causes death. (Genesis 2:16-17) Death spread to all men by Adam’s sin. (Romans 5:12-14) God provided the first blood sacrifice for Adam and Eve after they sinned. Initially, they had used fig leaves. God clothed them with bloody skins of animals. (Genesis 3:21) He was showing them the effects of sin each time they put their new “clothes” on.
God was again visually helping His people to see how sin affects their lives and nation. These sacrifices offered made man aware of the cost of sin and a safe way to approach God. When an animal was offered according to God’s instructions in Leviticus, God would accept the sacrifice and be pleased. (Leviticus 1:9,17; 2:9) God was pleased because those who made the sacrifice were using their faith in His Word!
Jesus Christ shed his precious blood on the cross of Calvary and declared: “It is finished!” (John 19:30) When we approach this same Holy God, we can come boldly before His throne any time day or night for prayer, fellowship, or forgiveness. (Hebrews 4:14-16) We do it by faith in the sacrifice of the body and blood of our Savior!
Why did God choose blood sacrifice as a way to cover sin? How would you describe your faith in Christ’s sacrifice for you? Why is a works-based salvation easier for mankind to trust in?
“But now He (Christ) has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:26-28
Truly the Son of God
Scripture reading for February 5th: Mark 15
Key Scriptures: Mark 15:34-39 “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” Which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, He is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to Him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing Him saw that in this way he breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.””
As Mark concluded the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and suffering on the cross, he includes one of the last prayers of Jesus. It is a question for God the Father. Jesus asks the Father why He has left Him alone. Bystanders thought Jesus might have been calling for Elijah to come take Him down. Another ran and gave Jesus a sedative in a sponge filled with sour wine. At three in the afternoon on Friday before the Sabbath, Jesus cried out His last cry in a loud voice. “It is finished!” was recorded by another Gospel writer. As the tough Roman Centurion watched Jesus and heard His last words, he came to an amazing revelation of truth. “Truly this man was the Son of God.” He is near to saving faith!
Psalm 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, from the words of my groanings?”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for suffering shame, torture, and death and the feeling of separation from God on my behalf. Truly, You are the Son of God Who finished the work needed for the salvation of all who will believe.
John 19:30 “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”