Biblical Prophecies of the Messiah Savior

I recently compiled a few verses from the Bible showing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies.

Messiah is Hebrew for Anointed One, and is translated Christ in the New Testament. It refers to the Priestly King that all the Old Testament prophets wrote about, and who all Israel had been expecting for thousands of years.

The first mention of a Savior was in Genesis 3:15, where God told the serpent that the seed of the woman would deal a crushing blow to his head. That promise was the foundation upon which the entire Old Testament was built, and of which the New Testament joyfully announces its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Here are just a few passages showing how these things are written:

Jesus told his disciples, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (Luke 24:44). In fact, Jesus affirmed that the entire purpose of his life and ministry was to fulfill Biblical prophecy. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17). And taking the twelve, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished (Luke 18:31).

Consider a few of the prophecies claimed to have been fulfilled by Christ. (Note: these prophetic passages taken from the Old Testament were written about 400 years before the time of Jesus Christ. The New Testament passages look at Jesus from an eye-witness perspective and reveal how he actually did fulfill what had already been foretold concerning the Messiah):

1) That he would be a descendant of Abraham:
The LORD said to Abraham, And in your Seed [offspring] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed because you have obeyed My voice. (Genesis 22:18 LITV). The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1). But the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed (it does not say, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," which is Christ). (Galatians 3:16 LITV).

2) That he would be from the Israelite tribe of Judah:
The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. (Genesis 49:10). Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli... the son of Judah (Luke 3:23,33). For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah (Hebrews 7:14).

3) That he would be the offspring of David:
When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. (2 Samuel 7:12). The LORD swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back: "One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. (Psalms 132:11). The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David (Matthew 1:1). And all the people were amazed, and said, "Can this be the Son of David?" (Matthew 12:23)

4) That he would be born in the Judean town of Bethlehem:
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days (Micah 5:2). Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, (Matthew 2:1).

5) That he would be born to a virgin and would be called "God with us":
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 ESV). Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18 ESV). All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:22-23 ESV).

6) That his forerunner would come from the desert to prepare the way of the Lord:
The voice of him who cries in the wilderness: Prepare the way of Jehovah; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3 LITV). "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple (Malachi 3:1 ESV). In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'" (Matthew 3:1-3 ESV).

7) That his ministry would be in Galilee where Gentiles lived, and there he would display his glory:
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations [Gentiles]. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (Isaiah 9:1-2 ESV). This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:11 ESV).

8) That he would shepherd and feed his people:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (Psalms 23:1-2 ESV). And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. (Ezekiel 34:23 ESV). When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things... Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. (Mark 6:34-42 ESV). Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number... Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!" (John 6:10-14 ESV).

9) That God would raise him up from the Jews as a prophet like Moses, and that he would speak God's words:
"The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers--it is to him you shall listen... I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him. (Deuteronomy 18:15-19 ESV). For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" (John 5:46-47 ESV). The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak. (John 12:48-49 ESV).

10) His rejection by the Jews was foretold in Scripture:
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. (Psalms 118:22 ESV). He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3 ESV). And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31 ESV). Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: "'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?... When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. (Matthew 21:42,45 ESV).

11) That he would suffer at the hands of Jews and Gentiles, be crucified along with wicked men, have his garments divided by lots and die for sinners:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?... All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"... they have pierced my hands and feet... they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. (Psalms 22:1,7-8,16,18 ESV). And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth... he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:9,12 ESV). And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots... So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,... "He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:35,41,43-46 ESV). For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfillment." (Luke 22:37 ESV).

12) That he would rise from the dead:
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol [the place of the dead], or let your holy one see corruption. (Psalms 16:10 ESV). But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. (Psalms 49:15 ESV). For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Psalms 56:13 ESV). You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. (Psalms 71:20 ESV). Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." (Matthew 28:7 ESV). This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (Acts 2:23-24 ESV). He [David] foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:31-33 ESV).

The Existence of God - Does God Exist?

The Existence of God

- Creation --> Creator
- Order --> Orderer
- Law --> Law Giver/Definer
- Design --> Designer
- Art --> Artist

To every building there is a builder. To every work of art there is an artist. And every law is issued by a lawgiver, an authority.

The existence of a universe containing intelligence is proof of the existence of an intelligent Creator of that universe.

It is like the existence of a city. A city is material that has been intelligently built, arranged and ordered. The city is itself a testimony to an intelligent builder or builders.

The Bible presents God as the cause of material and non-material existence. His existence is not defined by the existence of any thing else, but rather all things have their existence and definition from Him.

God exists and therefore all things exist. They exist because He exists. God is the Divine Existence that brings into being all things, yet He does not come into being Himself, for He simply exists without beginning or end.

The Bible testifies to this basic characteristic of God in many intelligent and understandable ways.

Biblical References include:

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." God created the existence of all that is in heaven and earth, for He already existed before all things.

Exodus 3:14 "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you." I AM is translated from the Hebrew letters YHWH and originates from a verb meaning "to be."

John 1:3 "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." There is not a single thing that exists apart from the existence of God. Note: this verse is in reference to Jesus Christ as God over creation.

Colossians 1:17 "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." He is the only original Being and all other existing things are kept in existence in God. This is another reference to Jesus Christ as God in creation.

Romans 1:10 "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." Nobody can claim there is no evidence or proof for the existence of God.

Revelation 1:8 "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'Who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" God declares Himself to be ultimate.

What this means for us is that we are creations, designs, creatures that belong to the Creator. What this means for God is that He made you, owns you and has authority over you. Every moment of our existence completely depends on God. You and I are morally accountable to our Maker for everything we do, say and think, because ultimately we belong to Him and His purposes, not to ourselves.

Therefore it is wise to take the advice of Proverbs 3:6-7, "In all your ways acknowledge him... Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil." Jesus came to save us for Himself.

-Penn Tomassetti

The Great Debate: Does God Exist? Bahnsen v. Stein

The Bible tells us, " the fool has said in his heart: there is no God." Don't misunderstand that. When the Bible uses the word fool it is not engaging in name calling. It's trying to describe somebody who is dense in the sense that they will not use their reason as God has given him. (someone who is rebellious and hard hearted) It's the fool who says in his heart there is no God.

Paul tells us in I Corinthians the first chapter, that God has made foolish the wisdom of this world. He calls rhetorically, " Where are the wise? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" In a sense I think what Paul is telling us, if I can amplify or read between the lines, is that the whole history of Philosophy is an argument for the existence of God. The whole history of Philosophy is an argument for the existence of God because of the impossibility of the contrary.

Someone who wants to say [something that is] contrary to what the Bible says about God, let him stand up and answer these questions. Let him show that in his heart he may say there is no God, but he can't live that way. He can't reason that way.

In Romans the first chapter Paul says God is making himself known continually and persuasively to all men, so that men do not have an excuse for their rejection of the existence of the Christian God. That isn't to say that all men confess this God. Not all will own up to Him as their heavenly Father. Not all will submit to Him. Some continue to rebel. Some continue to devise their fools' errands and rationalizations of why they don't have to believe in Him.

That's what the Bible teaches. I didn't just come here and make this up. I didn't come here to say, "If you don't agree you're just being rebellious." That is what the Bible says. What I want you to do tonight is to go home and consider whether there isn't something to that: Why is it that some people continue to use laws of logic, morality, science, and yet they have a world view that just clashes with that; and [yet] they just won't do anything to resolve that contradiction.

Dr. Stein tonight made reference to my doctoral dissertation on self deception. He wondered how relevant it might be. Well, it's very relevant, because what I do in that doctoral dissertation is to show that there are some people who know the truth and yet work very hard to convince themselves that it's not true.

Now, of course, atheists think that's what Christians are doing. I recognize that and that we'd have to argue about the evidence for and against the self-deception. All I want to leave with you tonight is the fact that self-deception is a real phenomenon. It does happen to people. People can know the truth and yet work very hard to rationalize the evidence, as Paul says, "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" in order to convince themselves that there is no God.

Well, you may want to cam[sic] choose tonight between the Christian world view and the atheist world view. We haven't touched all the issues that you may want to look into. However, in broad strokes we have touched on a very important issue. If you're going to be a rational man, a moral man, a man of science, can you do so in an atheist universe. I say you can't.

- The Great Debate: Does God Exist?
Bahnsen v. Stein, Page 37

Last Sunday's Bible Study: Romans 8:15-19

Last Sunday was 4th of July weekend, so there was an unusual number of people at my Bible study due to a cookout. Well, I'm glad they got to enjoy eating together, and what a blessing it was for me to teach from this passage on being adopted by the Father with the Holy Spirit, and of suffering and glory with Christ. [Note: I retaught on these verses again, as you can see if you scroll down to the previous posts.]

Romans 8:15-19

Verse 15. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Paul says that believers have received Him as the Spirit of adoption. The reason there cannot be any condemnation for a true Christian, is because Christians have received the very Spirit of the Son of God. He is not a spirit of fear that brings us under slavery, but of adoption as the very children of God the Father. Christians do not need to fear judgment, since God has not only taken away their judgment through Jesus Christ, but has by His Spirit sealed us as His very own children, for whom He has provided an eternal inheritance. It is by His Spirit that we cry like little children, calling Him "Abba", "Father!" God is the Father of those who are saved, and therefore He will never abandon any of His children to condemnation. He loves Christians as His own.

[Lit. No therefore received spirit slavery again to fear, rather received spirit adoption by whom cry Abba the Father.]

Verse 16. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

1. What does the Spirit do if we are God's children?

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit by guiding how we think and live (v.5), and also by leading us to put to death the sins of our flesh, and by moving us to pray to God, calling Him "Abba! Father!" That is, my Father, the One who has made me His own by giving me new life by His Spirit and by the resurrection of His Son, and by the Word preached. (Eph. 1:3-5; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3).

Verse 17. and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

1. What are children of God?
2. What is an heir?
3. What is also necessary for this to be proven true, or for us to be glorified with Christ?

Children of God are heirs. An heir is somone (usually a child) who inherits or is entitled to inherit property, one who inherits or is entitled to succedd to a hereditary rank, title, or office , one who receives or is entitiled to receive some endowment or quality from a parent or predecessor" (Mirriam-Webster online dictionary).

This is true of us, the text says, provided we suffer with Christ so that we may also be glorified together with him. Jesus said that if the world hated him, it will hate us also. All the apostles took what Jesus taught seriously and taught carefully how Christians ought to suffer in the name of Jesus. All of 1 Peter is written to help suffering Christians. Romans chapter 8 is also an encouragment for Christians when they suffer.

Suffering is like the guarantee that proves us to be heirs with Christ, when we suffer together with Him, not apart from Him. We join Him in His sufferings. As Hebrews 12:3-5 says, we suffer with Him in our struggle against sin and are disciplined by our Heavenly Father. In Hebrews 13:3, we suffer with believers who are mistreated (like those in prison for their faith) by remembering their needs. But Hebrews 13:12-13 really explains well how Christians suffer with Jesus. "So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured." (Hebrews 13:12-13).

Verse 18. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

1. What do we learn about suffering in this verse?
2. What do we learn about glory?

Paul reasons here, that you cannot even compare the present sufferings that Christians experience in this life with the glory that is to be revealed to us, or in us.

Remember that in verse 17, he just said that we are truly fellow heirs with Christ, as long as we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

So our suffering with Christ, you could say, guarantees that we will be glorified with him. This is why, though it is hard, Christians prize their sufferings, because we know that "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Cor. 4:17).

Verse 19. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Q: What is it that this verse says is waiting? How is it waiting? What is it waiting for?

This verse begins with the word "For" which leads us to consider what was stated just before verse 19. In verse 18, Paul says that he doesn't consider the sufferings of this present life worthy to be compared with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. With that said, he now states that the creation waits with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed.

To understand this, we can look at some other passages that will help us.
1. Psalm 132:11-12
2. Isaiah 43:6-7
3. 1 John 3:1-2
4. Revelation 19:6-8
5. Revelation 21:7

We learn from these passages, that the sons and daughters of God are those who have a covenant (an agreement) with God. This is that if they keep the requirements of God's covenant with them and the testimonies that God would teach them, then they would sit forever on the throne with Christ. This means they will reign in the kingdom of God as God's sons and as co-rulers of the creation of God with Christ.
We also see that those whom God has chosen by grace to be His very own sons are called from all over the earth to be made for the glory of God.
We see that they are not known by the world, but are going to appear in the very same image of Christ when He appears.
We see glimpses of this being fulfilled in Revelation 19, and Rev. 21:7 gives this very promise of being God's son to all who conquer (who overcome the world and its evil by faith in Christ).

So Paul says in Romans 8:19 that the creation itself is waiting eargly and longing for the day when this will happen. In the verses that follow, Paul will explain how this is being worked out.

For now, consider some things:
1. What does it mean to be a son of God?
2. How is it important to me to know whether I am truly a son of God?
3. How can I become a son of God?
4. What hope do they have who are the sons of God, and what hope do they have who are not His children?
5. The only begotten Son of God came into the world to redeem God's chosen children, is this what I base my life on? Do I seek to know God's only begotten Son and to serve Him in humble fear and worship all the days of my life? Do I love Him so that I can say that my life belongs totally to Him and His service?

Remember who it was that God sent to die. Who it was who rose to conquer death and sin and hell.. and who it is who is coming again to bring God's children home.
See 1 Thessalonians 1:10

Present yourselves to God

While I am battling a hard issue and struggling, I need to remember that there is one thing needed, that I present myself to God as one raised from death to life, and my members to Him as instruments for righteousness.

Why?

Because I'm free from the burden of the law and am now under grace. Oh thanks be to God through His precious Son and my Lord Jesus! Please help me Lord!

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:12-14 ESV).

Considering Truth and the Bible

“Intelligent people interpret data differently, largely based on presuppositions and training. Currently, those espousing the undirected natural processes scenarios are in control of the vast majority of scientific clout... Studies have repeatedly shown that the public holds views that are more compatible with ID [Intelligent Design], yet undirected naturalism is taught as ‘truth’ in public school systems, despite its lack of scientific evidence. Since Atheism and Secular Humanism have been confirmed as religions by US courts, and Evolution has been declared a religion by evolutionists, this teaching is actually against the First Amendment religious establishment clause and may be addressed in court.”
—Dr. Don Johnson of ScientificIntegrity.net, in his new book Probability’s Nature and Nature’s Probability, p. 101.

It is true that much of what people believe today is based more on personal preferences, rather than on what they have discovered to be actually true by careful study.

Just ask anyone, if they base their beliefs on what they “feel to be right”, and the response you get generally will be the same (with a few exceptions of course). The general idea is that feelings are more accurate than facts when it comes to determining reality.

Are feelings an accurate way to test truth or reality?

Some tell us there is no such thing as truth, and that whatever is true for you may not be true for someone else. But that idea confuses the very definition of truth.

Truth is that which agrees with reality or facts. Often we contrast it with fiction. To say there are no absolutes, or no absolute truth, is to say that the postmodern idea of relativism is in fact the truth. It’s like saying, “It is true that there exists no objective truth.”

Such a statement contradicts itself and is absurd, yet many people in our day (perhaps even you dear friend) have blindly accepted such a belief without question.

Let’s consider: if our president affirms something to be true, does that therefore make it to be true? Of course not! We all know that is often not the case, yet when it comes to so many matters of opinion, we blindly let people tell us how and even what to think without any examination of the reliability of their claims, simply because we feel it must be right.

As much as we love to point fingers and shift the blame on others, yet we also need to admit our own laziness in learning how to think critically.

We clearly love to base our beliefs and values on what we want, rather than on what is right. Personal preference has become the rule. Tolerance is virtually intolerant when it comes to those who reject liberal views. Just witness the many episodes of outrage broadcast over the news recently, showing advocates of sexual tolerance who themselves behave with intolerance toward their opponents. Such a scene shows no desire to act reasonably, only to beat down the opponent with aggressive verbal abuse. The very attitude of those who advocate tolerance is glowing with hypocritical intolerance. This is the result of a cultural denial of absolute standards whenever it feels like the right thing. Hypocrisy becomes inevitable.

If we carefully examine ourselves, our actions, our thoughts, our attitudes, our speech and our conduct, we will certainly find many inconsistencies and areas of hypocrisy. Does this mean we should never make any judgments about anyone morally?

It is ironic that some say that all forms of judging are wrong, even while they act out the very process of judging the same people they accuse of being judgmental. Such conduct is laughably sad, yet far too common in everyday life.

Nevertheless, there are forms of judgment based on facts and reality. Such judgments are necessary, while judgments based on personal preferences and hypocrisy need to be avoided. Therefore, we can judge truth, reality, right vs. wrong, as long as it is based on factual evidence.

Therefore, when it comes to the Bible, we can judge it to be true on many matters of life, simply by reading and comparing what it teaches to the world around us.

Although critics of the Bible like to say it contradicts itself in many places, or that it speaks about killing and many other horrible things, they often avoid context and ignore the main message.

So when we examine the truth of the Bible, we do so by understanding rationally what is being said and by comparing that with reality. This is not hard to understand, yet very difficult to do for someone who has already rejected (with bias) their own idea of what the Bible teaches. Such a person is right in their own mind and cannot think critically or accurately. Yet these are they who seek to impose their own biased rejection of the Bible on others, sometimes forcefully, thus turning the table on themselves. Learning to recognize these kinds of inconsistencies will greatly help us when examining the truth claims of the Bible, or of any other book.

With that said, I will leave my reader to go do his own research with some things in mind:

First is that faith in God is not unreasonable, no matter what some big-shot atheist says about it. We know that we are creatures, which means we have been made by a Creator, One who is more skilled than we are, more wise than we are, more true than we are, greater and more powerful than we are. To ignore this great Being would be to ignore reality itself.

Second, we only know as much about this great Creator as it is given to us to know. Our intelligence has an intelligent Designer. One who has determined our capacities for us. The Bible is the only book that explains how this Creator has chosen to reveal Himself to His creatures by choosing a family and a nation of people (the Jews), making them distinct from every other nation, giving them His divine Law, revealing to them prophecies about the future which come to pass with alarming accuracy, choosing a virgin woman from among them by whom He sent His very Son into the world, showing Himself to a world filled with wicked and hateful people. It admits to the absurdity this message has to the faithless mind, yet reveals the greatest love and glory in the One who would identify with His own people by becoming one of them, living a perfect life for them, dying for their sins and rebellion, rising back to life and calling them to repentance and faith unto reconciliation, then sending them to spread His message in the world until He returns in final judgment.

Based on what I’ve discovered in my own research, I can say to you that no other religious book compares to the Bible and no other person compares to Jesus of Nazareth, and I dare you to test it for yourself with a clear mind.

God bless!

Romans 8, part 5

Continuing the study in Romans chapter 8.

Romans 8, part 5: The Revelation of the Sons of God

Romans 8:19

Verse 19: For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Q: What is it that this verse says is waiting? How is it waiting? What is it waiting for?

This verse begins with the word "For" which leads us to consider what was just stated before verse 19. In verse 18, Paul says that he doesn't consider the sufferings of this present life worthy to be compared with the glory that is going to be revealed to us (meaning God's children).

Next, he now states that the creation waits with eager longing for the sons of God to be revealed.

Q: What do you think it means to wait with “eager longing”? What do you think it means by saying that God's sons are going to be revealed?

In Romans

To understand this, we can look at some other passages that will help us.
1. Psalm 132:11-12
2. Isaiah 43:6-7
3. 1 John 3:1-2 (see 2:29 as a preliminary verse to this).
4. Revelation 19:6-8
5. Revelation 21:7


We learn from these passages, that the sons and daughters of God are those who have a covenant (an agreement) with God. This covenant is that if they keep God's covenant with them and the testimonies that God would teach them, that they would sit forever on the throne with Christ. This means they will reign in the kingdom of God as God's sons and as co-rulers of the creation of God with Christ.

We also see that those whom God has chosen by grace to be His very own sons and daughters are called from all over the earth to be made for the glory of God.

We see that they are not known by the world, but are going to appear in the very same image of Christ when He appears. In an amazing way by the grace of God, they will be like Christ, the Son of God. In Luke 20:36, Jesus said they will be equal to the angels and are sons of God in the resurrection.

We see glimpses of this being fulfilled in Revelation 19, where the people of God are called the Bride of the Lamb and are clothed in beautiful garments of righteous deeds.

Revelation 21:7 gives the promise to all who conquer, that they will be God's very own Sons. This victory or conquest is also referred to as overcoming the world by faith that Jesus is indeed the very Son of God (1 John 5:4-5).

So Paul says in Romans 8:19 that the creation itself is waiting eagerly, longing for the day when this will happen.

In the verses that follow, Paul will explain how this hope of the revealing of God's true children is being worked out.

For now, consider some things:
1. What does it mean to be a son of God?

2. How is it important to me to know whether I am truly a son of God?

3. How can I become a son of God?

4. What hope do they have who are the sons of God, and what hope do they have who are not His children?

5. The only begotten Son of God came into the world to redeem God's chosen children, is this what I base my life on? Do I seek to know God's only begotten Son and to serve Him in humble fear and worship all the days of my life? Do I love Him so that I can say that my life belongs totally to Him and His service?

Remember who it was that God sent to die for us. Who it was who rose to conquer death and sin and hell.. and who it is who is coming again to bring God's children home.

See 1 Thessalonians 1:10
1Th 1:8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.
1Th 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
1Th 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Romans 8, parts 4

SO IT HAS BEEN so long since I published my Romans Bible studies. I have not stopped studying and teaching from Romans (we are in chapter 8 now), but I have taken a lot of time off from publishing them in an organized way here on my AS IT IS WRITTEN blog.

To anyone interested in looking closely at Romans, please read this study and the ones listed on my sidebar. Grace be with you.

Romans Chapter 8, part 4

Text: Romans 8:15-18

Study Notes:

Verse 15: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

Q & A: What spirit have Christians not received? What spirit have Christians received? What is your concept of the Christian? Do you view the Christian life as one of fear and slavery, or as one of adoption and being the very children of God?

Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Paul says that believers have received Him as the Spirit of adoption. The reason there cannot be any condemnation for a true Christian, is because Christians have received the very Spirit of the Son of God. He is not a spirit of fear that brings us under slavery, but of adoption as the very children of God the Father. Christians do not need to fear judgment, since God has not only taken away their judgment through Jesus Christ, but by His Spirit has sealed them as His very own children, for whom He has provided an eternal inheritance. It is by His Spirit that we cry out as children, calling Him "Abba", "Father!" God is the Father of those who are saved, and therefore He will never abandon any of His children to condemnation. He loves Christians as His own.


Verse 16-17: The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Q & A: What does the Spirit himself do with the spirit of those who are adopted? What does He witness to them about? What does it mean to be a child of God? What must happen in order for Christians to be glorified with Christ?


Verse 18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Q & A: What does Paul consider is not worthy to be compared with the future glory? What sufferings do you think is he referring to? What do you think the glory he refers to is all about?

Concluding now that Christians are called to suffer with Christ, Paul considers with reason that these present sufferings can't be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. That glory is the glory of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. My friends whom I love dearly, do you believe this? Do you really believe it??

Meditating on a Miracle

I wrote down these thoughts a few days ago, after reading the amazing miracles of Christ in Mark chapter 7, when he healed a man who was deaf and dumb:

"And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; and were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." (Mark 7:36,37 KJV).

This is one of my favorite stories in the gospel of Mark. In the midst of a multitude, a man who could neither hear nor speak was brought to Jesus. Perhaps because of the noise of the people, Jesus removed this man away from the crowd. He then put his fingers in his ears, spit and touched his tongue, looked up to heaven with a sigh and said, "Eph'pha-tha," which meant, "Be opened!" Immediately the man's ears were opened and his tongue was freed so that he spoke plainly. All the people were extremely astonished when they were told what happened, despite the Lord's command not to tell anyone.

Whenever I read this story, I feel astounded and surprised with joy every time. Why do the miracles that Jesus performed never cease to amaze me? I believe it is because they are unlike anything ever done for people in history. Jesus did not perform miracles to show off his own greatness or to exalt himself or the miracles themselves. He did them because he loved people. He saw them as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He also did them to glorify His Father, and to fulfill prophecy about himself. He did them to reveal the kingdom of God and to promote faith in the Word of God, because what was written about the Messiah had come to pass. God sent His Son to be the Savior of the world, and through these miracles we see little glimpses of His salvation. We see Jesus saving people from demonic power and control, from sickness and death, from blindness and leprosy, from hunger and from pain. In the miracle of our text, Jesus saved a man from his inability to hear and from his speechlessness.

Let's consider a few things about this man. First, he was hearless. You could speak in his ear, yet he would not listen to you, for he could not hear your words. This man was deaf. No amount of cleaning his ears could cause his hearing to return. Nothing could make his ears clean enough, clear enough, or open enough to hear a sound. Yet, Jesus put his fingers in the man's ears, and after he spoke, they were opened so that the man heard everything clearly. This is the power of God's Son! He makes one who cannot hear, cannot listen, cannot understand, to hear, listen and understand everything very well. That is a miracle that must be performed upon every closed hearted sinner, including you and I, before we will humbly listen to and understand Jesus. Do you see the glory in the ear-opening power of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Next, the man was speechless. No doubt if this man was born deaf, he would have also been dumb as well. The man could not talk, at least not like everyone else. Perhaps he had learned to move his mouth like others around him, yet he would have had trouble making the proper sounds, since his ears could not discern their distinctions. So we can see an area of helplessness as a result of his infirmity. However, the Scripture tells us that Jesus spit, then touched the man's tongue. I have often thought this was a strange act on the part of Jesus, but the more I think upon it, the more I am in awe of the Lord's grace. Jesus took saliva from his own mouth, touched this man's tongue, and miraculously made the man able to speak clearly on his own. A man who before had nothing to say, because he could say nothing, now was enabled by Jesus Christ to proclaim the glorious praises of God! What a miracle! My friends, if Jesus has healed the ears of our hearts, then he will also enable us to speak as well. If we think we have nothing to say to others concerning our Lord, then let us look to Jesus, and receive his help that our tongues may be set free.

This story has a spiritual reference to it, just as all the miracles of Christ do. Death is the result of sin, and all infirmities are a byproduct of the curse that God pronounced on mankind because of Adam's sin. So when Jesus healed this man, it has a connection to our need to be saved form our sins, and not only from our sicknesses.

I know that for myself, I was once unable to hear the truth of God's Word. I could not understand it, because my spiritual ears were closed to spiritual truth. "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:13,14 KJV). But when the grace and mercy of God toward me appeared, I was able to both hear God's Word and understand it by the Spirit of God, so that by His grace I was saved. And even though I used to have nothing to say, suddenly I could not keep the words within me, but I had to open my mouth and talk about the gracious King of kings and Lord of lords.

Let us learn from this miracle, how Jesus has the power to make us hear His truth and speak of it to others by His grace. Give thanks to the Lord if he has done the same for you, and if not, then go to Jesus and receive a heart of understanding. Jesus died for sinners, so that by His crucifixion and resurrected life, we also might be free from our sins and have power to know and serve Him. Are you living in the freedom of hearing, knowing and serving Jesus Christ? He is still the Savior, yet how much time is left for you to seek Him before you stand before the throne of judgment?