Author Archives: Ron

About Ron

Author of these articles has served in his church for 54 years, as a teacher for nearly 45 years, a deacon, treasurer, and leader of several groups. He has also sung as a bass in the choir for about 60 years. He became a Christian with a profession of faith at the age of 19. He is a veteran of 6 years years in the Air Force (4 on active duty). He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Quantitative Business Analysis. He has been writing articles and lessons for nearly 15 years. He is now a widower with 2 grown children and four grandchildren.

ONLY ONE WAY- TO GOD

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**Read this article and/or go to the bottom and watch the 2 videos (PT 1 & 2)

   Is there only one way to God?  This probably the most toxic and volatile question in our age of pluralism and tolerance. What is said most of the time is that we must be more tolerant and “permit all ways to go to God” or at the very least say that there has to be more than one way to God. A very popular author, Lee Strobel, that as an atheist he disliked John 14:6 that states “no one comes to the Father except through me (Jesus)”. Lee Strobel felt it was way too intolerant to say there was only one way to God, but after pouring over the evidence for truthfulness of Christianity, he became a believer and is now a follower of Jesus Christ. In his three books, A Case for a Creator, A Case for Faith, and A Case for Jesus, Mr. Strobel admits and tells of his conversion. I own all three of these books.

       There is a large group of people who shares Mr. Strobel’s previous thinking that it is too intolerant and not inclusive enough to talk against those who want many ways to God. There are many who not only talk against those who believe Jesus said- “there is only one way” but launch tirades, form organized groups to cause problems to Christians, or even harm some Christians for their views. Even way back in 1940 Walter Chaplinsky caused a real problem in Rochester, New Hampshire by consistently loudly denouncing organized religion as a racket and denouncing many Christian denominations by name. Since then, there are many that create real problems, violent situations, and attempts to harm those who just quote the Bible, like Steve McSwain a popular speaker and author in liberal circles and an ambassador to a Council for a Parliament of World’s Religions who does what he can to ridicule anyone who believes in John 14:6. Even Oprah Winfrey has been quoted as saying “One of the biggest mistakes humans make is to believe there is only one way.” She continues “actually, there are many diverse paths leading to what you call God”. While we are told not to judge, it sounds like Oprah needs to come to find a different position for her eternal benefit.

       Popular Jewish rabbi and television host Shmuley Boteach shares a similar conviction and states “I am absolutely against any religion that says that one faith is superior to another”. He further states- “I don’t see how that is anything different than spiritual racism. It’s a way of saying that we are closer to God than you are, and that’s what leads to hatred”. We are seeing and hearing that there a group who says if anyone does not agree with their position against Christianity “that they are racist”. In Lee Strobel’s book A Case for Faith, he says- “Many people consider it arrogant, narrow-minded, and bigoted for Christians to contend that the only path to God must go through Jesus of Nazareth. In a day of religious pluralism and tolerance, this exclusivity claim is politically incorrect. A verbal slap in the face of other belief systems.” However, Lee Strobel has completely changed this type of incorrect position in all three of his books. He now firmly believes in the truth of John 14:6.

        On the night of Jesus’ arrest, Jesus gathered His disciples around Him in an upper for what was called the Passover Supper. Jesus tells His disciples “Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And I where I go you know, and the way you know.” Jesus was telling His disciples that the way to God was certain and knowable, Thomas responded with a question of perplexity. This was in keeping of what we know about Thomas’ personality. Thomas was always skeptical and saying: “Show me”, but once convinced, Thomas was dauntless and a true believer. On this occasion, Thomas said to Christ, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?” Thomas had missed our Lord’s point in the earlier verses. Jesus was talking about going to heaven to prepare for us. Thomas evidently thought Jesus was announcing that He was going to take a trip to a hidden location, perhaps a secure spot within the boundaries of Israel or somewhere in the eastern Mediterranean region. Whatever the case. I am glad that Thomas asked the question. Jesus’ simple response was what

recorded in John 14:6- that he was the only way to God.

       In this simple answer, Jesus declared Himself to be the answer to the three greatest questions of the human heart.

     How can I be saved? Jesus is the way.

     How can I be sure? Jesus is the truth.

     How can I be satisfied? Jesus is the life.

In order to understand what Jesus was saying, we need to take our minds all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Before Adam sinned, he enjoyed three very special privileges with God his Creator:

     He communed with God intimately; we see him walking with God.

     He knew God in reality; we see him believing what God said.

      He possessed spiritual life fully; we see him living in paradise.

But when Adam fell in rebellion against God, he lost all three of his privileges with God. His communion was broken; he hid from God. His knowledge was corrupted; he believed Satan’s lies. His life was shattered, he was beginning to die.   Of course, Adam did not die immediately but he, like everyone since, needed a way “back” to God. The truth found in John 14:6 reverses those three tragic realities.

         Our present condition apart from God is a mirror of Adam and Eve’s condition after the Fall. We cannot comprehend God in reality. We are alienated from God. We don’t have fellowship with Him. We are ignorant of the truth of God. Everything that Adam lost is exactly the same state all humanity finds themselves without God. That is why we call the Gospel of Jesus the Good News. In Christ we can recover everything lost in the Fall. We can have fellowship with Jesus. Instead of alienation from God, we can know His truth. Instead of death, we can know life in Him. The early followers of Jesus were so convinced that Jesus was the only way to Heaven that they didn’t even call themselves Christians…they called themselves, “followers of the Way”.

       The way, the truth, and the life! Jesus is communion restored. Jesus is truth recovered. Jesus is life regained- the full and permanent reversal of Genesis 3. That is the meaning of John 1:6. Now, let’s look at it phrase by phrase.

                           JESUS IS COMMUNION RESTORED

The first phrase in verse 6 says, “I am the way.” Apart from Christ, we cannot have communion with God because of the impenetrable barrier of sin, but Jesus came to remove that barrier. Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:5: “5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” This is one of the most memorized, quoted, and useful verses in the Bible. Paul begins with the Old Testament truth that the God of the Bible is the only God who actually exists. This statement is the Shema, meaning “the saying,” the foundational saying of the Law: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).

       The second phrase transitions to the concept of a mediator. A mediator is a person who serves as an intermediary between two people or parties. Jesus serves to bring people to God (John 14:6) and is the only way to God (Acts 4:12). Hebrews 9:15 mentions this same theme, saying, “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant …” Similarly, Hebrews 12:24 uses the phrase, “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.”
       Paul also highlights the humanity of Jesus, calling him “The man Christ Jesus.” He is God in human form, one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man (John 1:1–14). This verse not only speaks to the reality of the Christian God, but also that Jesus Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God. No other being, spiritual or human, is needed as a go-between for us and God. The symbolism of the torn temple veil (Matthew 27:51) applies here: Jesus is the way we communicate with God, period. There is no additional step, and there is no other channel. Jesus is certainly the teacher of the way. He is the guide along the way and the provider of the way, but He is more than that. He is the way. He is the way to restored communion with the heavenly Father. (Relate my directions story in Phoenix.)

                              JESUS IS THE TRUTH RECOVERED

The next phrase in John 14:6 says, I am…the truth”. Jesus is utterly dependable and trustworthy. We can take Him at His word. When we meet Him, we move from the false to the truth, from deception to reality, from relative confusion to absolute knowledge, Throughout his gospel, the apostle John stressed Jesus as the truth. Here are three of John’s scriptures that tell of Jesus’ truth: John 1:14: 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -The reality of the moral power and change wrought in those that believed recalls and is itself evidence of the reality of that in which they believed. Man came to be a son of God, because the Son of God became man.

John 1:17,“  17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” This explains an important difference between the ministries of Moses and Jesus. Moses’ ministry brought knowledge of the law. But the law could only show us how sinful and broken we were (Romans 3:20). Rather than just bringing us truth, Jesus also brought us grace. Instead of simply telling us that we were broken, Christ gave us a way to fix what was wrong.  John 8:32, 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Here the, truth and holiness are spoken of as correlative. The light of truth dispels the darkness in which lies the stronghold of evil. Sin is the bondage of the powers of the soul, and this bondage is willed because the soul does not see its fearful evil. When it perceives the truth, there comes to it a power which rouses it from its stupor, and strengthens it to break the fetters by which it has been bound.

       There are several other verses that convey the truth of Jesus and His power. Here are just three others listed John 8:46, John 17:17, and John 18:37.

                                    JESUS IS LIFE REGAINED

Jesus is also the life. He is life incarnate, the opposite of death and darkness. Life is another of the great words that run like a golden chain through the Gospel of John. It’s a word that occurs more than forty times in this fourth Gospel, and it’s often modified by the adjective everlasting. Here are three of John’s scriptures that tell of Jesus’ life. John 1:4 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. This verse proclaims Christ’s role as the giver of eternal life. John will spend much more time later in his gospel explaining Jesus’ role in bringing life to mankind. This verse also refers to Jesus using the second of John’s seven names for Jesus: “The Light.” To a Hebrew, “light” was the ultimate value. All good things were said to be “light,” and evil was “darkness.” Light implies a revealing. John 3:16, “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 is a widely quoted Bible verse that summarizes the cornerstone Christian belief that their God sacrificed his son for the salvation of humanity. This verse teaches us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, will be saved. John 3:16 gives us the glorious hope of eternal life. No other verse in the Bible so succinctly summarizes God’s relationship with humanity and the way of salvation. Some consider John 3:16 as the “theme verse” for the entire Bible. John 3:16 tells us of the love God has for us and the extent of that love—so great that He sacrificed His only Son on our behalf.  John 4:14 , “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Jesus’ comments here present some interesting facts about the nature of salvation. In order to get literal water from a well, a person has to lower a bucket, then haul up the full container. This has to be repeated as often as required in order to get more water. The water Jesus promises will become a permanent spring within the person.  In fairly direct terms, Jesus is pointing out that salvation is neither obtained nor kept through works. In fact, Jesus is contrasting the nature of salvation with the nature of human efforts. One is temporary and requires work. The other is eternal and is obtained only as a gift.

       Three other outstanding verses about life are John 5:21, John 5:40, and John 6:35. The temptation is to list all forty-one references to “life” in John’s Gospel, but these more than gets the point across.  There is only one name by which we must be saved, and it’s the name Jesus, a name that literally means “Jehovah Saves”. He forged the way. He is our way, our truth and our life. John 14:6 is one of the central passages in the Word of God, and it gives us the answer to the question: Is there only one way to God. The answer is YES!!!His name is Jesus Christ, and I recommend Him to you.

IS THERE A SIN THAT GOD CANNOT FORGIVE?

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Most of the time this question is asked when the person thinks they have committed a grievous sin that certainly God can’t forgive. They even think they can’t even forgive that sin themselves. Many times, these people are not very close to God, but they are either trying to get closer to God or they are just beginning to think seriously about their salvation. Of course, they may be “lost” and don’t have any idea how to deal with that situation. Something likely has recently happened so profound that the thinking goes to a situation that certainly is out of the ordinary. That profound occurrence may be a challenge to our normal lifestyle or not part of what we believe. There is a story in the Bible that fits this description perfectly.

       The story is about a man who was possessed by a demon. The Book of Mark relates this story in many details. Out of this story comes three extremely prominent opinions about Jesus and who He really is.  These three opinions are that Jesus was 1) out of His mind, 2) an unreasonable radical, or 3) ruled by demons.

       Mark 3:20-21 states, “20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 When his family[a] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” It is said here that family thought Jesus was crazy. When this news got back to His family that they wanted to get to Him and take control of Him because they were convinced He was “out of His mind”. What about others who were not His family?

        Mark 3:22, “22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.” Here those described as teachers thought Jesus to be a radical. These people thought Jesus was possessed- a demon Himself.  This opinion originated due to their thoughts that Jesus was acting like a demon when He cast out a demon. Then we see the third opinion in the Book of Matthew.

        Matthew 12:22-24 states, “22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” The Pharisees clearly felt that Jesus was the ruler of demons- Beelzebub Himself. They felt Jesus had the demonic power of Satan. As usual, Jesus had an answer to these terrible opinions, but also as usual, Jesus was NOT upset. He had strong, brilliant comments.

       Mark 3:23 begins Jesus’ answers, 23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? So, Jesus was telling them His answer by asking another question – a habit that Jesus used often. So, He asked: Are you saying that Satan casts out Satan? This was Jesus’ secular answer. Jesus deals with the kingdom issue in Mark 3:24, “24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand”. Jesus is saying that a kingdom divided against itself is doomed and can’t stand. This is clearly stating that nations and secular organizations must not be divided. This, by the way, is a warning for all nations and countries to be united. America today is quickly failing to be united on almost all issues and God’s judgment may be close at hand. Then Jesus turns to the social and spiritual answers in the next two verses in Mark.

       Mark 3:25 says, “25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

  This is Jesus’ social answer to demon situation. It states that a house or family need to be united and not against family members.

       Mark 3:26, 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.”  This the spiritual answer from Jesus. It says that it is spiritually impossible for Satan to be divided from himself. So, Jesus provides the proof that He cannot be Satan if Jesus eliminates demons. Because He healed the demon possessed the man and drove the demon out of the man. This says that Satan cannot divide himself from himself- a demon.

       Mark 3:27, “27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.” Jesus gives us some very good insight with this quote. A strong man must be bound to overcome him. So, Jesus reasons that the most terrible beast (Satan) flees at the appearance of Jesus. After the demon was removed from the man, the man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him to go tell others. The demon could not get back into the man because of the appearance and presence of Jesus. So, we learn that with Jesus us in us Satan flees and can’t get to us. The Apostle John reconfirms this in 1 John 4:4, 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” To followers of Jesus, He is divine. We must believe that Jesus is God, the Son of God.

        Then Mark records an answer to our question about is there a sin that cannot be forgiven. Mark 3:28-30, 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” 30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.” This is also recorded in Matthew 12:32, “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” This is saying that the one who blasphemes or speaks against the Holy Spirit has an unclean spirit, a sinner uncleaned, and that person is doomed for eternity.

      So, back to our original question-“What is the unpardonable Sin?” Let’s start with, “What it is Not!” It is not cursing Jesus, adultery, murder, nor even suicide and many others. “What is it?” It is rare, it is rehearsed, it is repeated sin by some religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They kept it up by rejecting Jesus over and over. To be specific, it was religious sin by Scribes. They were denying the deity of Jesus. This very different from a person today who is anxious over a sin they have committed and may think that is the unpardonable sin. However, this anxiety is not that one that is unpardonable because they are not denying that sin- just concerned over it.

         Harden your heart against God and then God’s word makes no impact on us. We must believe in Jesus, who He is, that He died for our sins, and was resurrected. Then we must invite Him into our heart. Death makes it final for us if we confess and believe before that death. So, Believe!!!! We have been forgiven for all our sins. Romans 3:23, “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”. This tells us that All – not just some but all- have sinned and come short of the glory of God. So. ALL must confess our sins and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Thanks to Dr. David Jeremiah and The Holy Spirit

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

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From the title it is easy to determine/predict this is a story of when Jesus is in the Old Testament. There clearly times when Jesus actually appears in the Old Testament, but that is a story for another time- in my third book in fact. I am doing research now for that subject. Here though, I am writing about several of the very specific- important- times when the Old Testament refers to Jesus, His character and His impact, but His appearance is not actually described. Of course, the Second Coming of Jesus is clearly specified in Revelation 19:11- which is in the New Testament. However, there are more than 300 times in the Old Testament where it predicts the Second Coming. I am going to relate five specific times when there is evidence of dynamic references to Jesus, His life, and prediction of His vital relationship to God’s overall plan. This is called “theophany”.

  1. FIRST GOSPEL FOR JESUS

GENESIS 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspringand hers; He will crushyour head, and you will strike His heel.”

Traditionally, the second part of this verse is called the “protoevangelium”, the first gospel. Because it outlines the defeat of the serpent, God’s enemy, who, through deception and temptation, led mankind to sin and rebel against God. God’s plans are revealed progressively in the Bible. The book of Genesis provides several prophecies about a Messiah, including details about his bloodline. In Genesis 22:18, for example, there is a prophecy that Abraham’s seed, or offspring, depending on the English translation, would become a blessing to people throughout the world. Genesis 3:15 is part of God’s judgment of Adam, Eve and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:8-19).

       Therefore, we have in Genesis 3:15, the first promise of a Redeemer. It is the long line of prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. The Promised One would be from the woman’s seed an indication of the eventual virgin birth of Christ. The head of a serpent creeping on the ground is easily crushed and bruised, of which it is sensible, and therefore it is careful to hide and cover it. The seed of the serpent would bruise the heel of the seed of the woman. On the cross Satan bruised the heel of Christ, causing His death. Bruising suggests something that was not ultimate or final. Christ died on our behalf being made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). He bore our judgment upon Calvary’s cross and, in doing so, bruised His heel. Though wounded, the damage done to Jesus was not final, for He came back from the dead three days later.       The phrase seed of the serpent also has various explanations. It does not mean the physical descendants of the Devil but rather those who are his spiritual descendants. There is no indication that Satan ever had any physical offspring. Some feel seed of the serpent speaks of unredeemed humanity beginning with Adam and Eve’s first son Cain and continuing on to all those who oppose God. Jesus called the religious leaders of his day the children of the Devil (John 8:44).There is also the view that the seed of the serpent refers to the creatures who have fallen like Satan. These include demons and fallen angels. The seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head indicating Satan’s ultimate defeat.

       This has different aspects:

The first stage of the Devil’s defeat was at the cross. It was there where Satan was initially defeated. Jesus said: Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out (John 12:31).When Christ eventually returns to the earth, He will bind Satan and place him in the pit (Revelation 20:1-4). Eventually Satan will be cast into the lake of fire along with those who followed him (Revelation 20:7-10). Scripture looks forward to the day when the serpent’s head will be crushed.

  • PASSOVER LAMB

EXODUS 12:12-13 12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

        God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” That is the death that has been sentenced upon man. He’s going to pass over me. I’ll not die, but I will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, into the glorious likeness of Jesus Christ. Whom, having not seen, yet I love. Even though I don’t see Him yet, in my heart I rejoice with a joy unspeakable, and full of glory because even though I am now a son of God, I don’t know for sure yet what I’m going to be, all of the full capacities and everything else. But I know that when He appears, I’m going to be like Him. For I’m going to see Him as He is, conformed into His image.
       Oh, how glorious is the hope of every child of God, who by faith follows the command of God, and who has received the sacrifice of God, God’s lamb Jesus Christ, and has received the covering of Jesus Christ, and his sins have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. So in Exodus we have God laying out the Passover lamb, which is a type of the Lamb of God. For Jesus it was the night in which He had the Passover supper with His disciples, that He took the Passover elements and said, “Hey this is Me, this is Me don’t you understand? It’s Me. I’m the Passover Lamb. This cup is a new covenant; it’s in My blood.” No longer the lamb in Egypt and the blood of the lamb in Egypt. No longer does this feast carry you clear back to Egypt. This feast now carries you back to the cross of Jesus Christ. And as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show the Lord’s death, not the death of the lamb in Egypt, but the death of the Lamb of God. You do show the Lord’s death until He comes. So, the feast was inaugurated, but it was inaugurated to remind, yes, but also to look forward to the fulfillment of what that lamb in Egypt typified, the Lamb of God slain for our sins.

  • BRONZE SERPENT

NUMBERS 21:8-9 8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they would live.

       This is a very interesting story. So, God’s people are yet again rebelling against God and what’s happening is there’s basically a curse among God’s people and they are all getting bit by snakes and dying. And as a result of these fiery serpents among the people, God says, “Hey, take this pole, put an image of a fiery serpent on it and whenever people are bitten if they look at this then they’ll be able to live.”

              We find life by looking to a picture of death. Jesus went to the cross to bear our sins and die the death we deserve. Only in Him do we find life.

            So, I’m putting myself in the shoes of Israelities at this point, who are being bitten by fiery serpents. The last thing I want to look to is a fiery serpent in order to live. But this symbol, this picture of death actually becomes a symbol, a picture of deliverance. So, you find life in looking to a picture that symbolizes death. And in this the stage is set for Jesus to say in John 3:14 “just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. So, the son of man must be lifted up that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Think about it. How do you and I have eternal life? By looking where? To Jesus’s death on a cross.

                   In Numbers 21, the people again got discouraged, and in their unbelief they murmured against Moses for bringing them into the wilderness. They had already forgotten that it was their own sin that caused them to be there, and the tried to blame Moses for it. As a judgment against the people for their sin, God  sent poisonous serpents into the camp, and people began to die. This showed the people that they were the ones in sin, and they came to Moses to confess that sin and ask for God’s mercy. When Moses prayed for the people, God instructed him to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole so the people could be  healed (Numbers 21:5-7).
           God was teaching the people something about faith. It is totally illogical to think that looking at a bronze image could heal anyone from snakebite, but that is exactly what God told them to do. It took an act of faith in God’s plan for anyone to be healed, and the serpent on the stick was a reminder of their sin which brought about their suffering. There is no connection between this serpent and the serpent which Satan spoke through in the Garden of Eden. This serpent was symbolic of the serpents God used to chastise the people for their unbelief.

       A couple of additional lessons are taught in the Bible regarding this bronze serpent. The people did get healed when they looked at the serpent, and the image was kept for many years. Many years later, when the Israelites were in the Promised Land, the serpent became an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4). This shows how easy it is for us to take the things of God and twist them into idolatry. We must never worship the tools or the people God chooses to use, but always bring the honor and glory to God alone.
       The next reference we find in the Bible to this serpent is in John 3:14. Jesus indicated that this bronze serpent was a foreshadowing of Him. The serpent, a symbol of sin and judgment, was lifted up from the earth and put on a tree, which was a symbol of a curse (Galatians 3:13). The serpent lifted up and cursed symbolized Jesus, who takes away sin from everyone who would look to Him in faith, just like the Israelites had to look to the upraised symbol in the wilderness. Paul is reminding the Galatians that Jesus became a curse for us, although He was blameless and sinless—the spotless Lamb of God. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

  • FORSAKEN SAVIOR

PSALM 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

       All Scripture is inspired by God but some passages cause us to take off our shoes from off our feet for the content they communicate is most holy and precious. It was David that was caused to pen these prophetic words, which were uttered by our Savior on the cross, when He bore the sin of the world in His body on the Tree. No matter what caused David to pen this Psalm, we remember the solemn event, which it foreshadowed. For three long hours’ time embraced eternity. as the world was plunged into a thick darkness. Heaven was hushed and time stood still – and God turned His face away from the Son of His love, in Whom He was well pleased.

       For the three of the blackest hours in human history the eternal Son of God was separated from His Father in heaven as He was made sin on our account. My God my God why hast Thou forsaken me? was the question He screamed – and these poignant words must have reverberated throughout an astonished universe. The curse of the Law sliced though His spirit, soul and body as He drank the bitter cup that would provide such blessing for all who were born under the curse of the Law. For all who believe on Him, by grace through faith, would be reconciled to God; become eternally saved and forever forgiven, by means of the astonishing atoning sacrifice that Christ made on that singular day.

       Why did God forsake the Son of His love? Why did His heavenly Father turn His back on His only begotten Son in Whom He delighted? Why should God the Son suffer the concentrated horror of those three eternal hours. Well scripture gives us the answer: God is just and He is holy and sin must be punished. Every sin and all sin had to be punished. The price of death for every broken law has to be paid in full. And the sinless Lord Jesus, Who is God in the flesh, took upon Himself every sin we committed and every violation of God’s perfect Law – together with the inherent sin we received from our forefathers and the inherited sin nature we received as part of Adam’s fallen race.

       Christ voluntarily took upon Himself the responsibility of paying the price for all our sin (committed sins, inherent sin and the inherited sin nature) and God laid on HIM the iniquity of the world. How shocking that the truth of the glorious gospel has been so watered down by Christendom in order to make it palatable to seeker-friendly churches. How shocking that so many legalists do not consider that Christ’s sacrificial death was sufficient – and insist that we have to add our own works to His finished work on the cross. How shocking that the vast majority of humanity have refused to hear and receive the glorious gospel of grace.

       The debt we owe our Savior should be a never-ending stream of grateful love that floods through our heart and soul, knowing that He was made sin on our account so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Him. It was for our sake that He was forsaken, and it was US that he was forced to cry out: My God my God why hast Thou forsaken Me? so that by faith in Him we might never be forsaken but united with Him forever.

  • SUFFERING SAVIOR

ISAIAH 53:5-6 “5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him t0he iniquity of us all.”

        But, in fact, He was suffering not for His own transgressions but for our transgressions, says Isaiah. The punishment the servant endured would bring the people peace, peace with God. By his wounds we are healed (forgiven). Out of the servant’s suffering and death would come blessing and salvation for the people (see 1 Peter 2:24). Isaiah even prophesies that the servant would be pierced (see Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10); Jesus was pierced as He hung on the cross (John 19:34).

                We all, like sheep, have gone astray; we haven’t merely become lost, we    have turned to our own way. All of us are guilty of willfulness and rebellion against God.  Yet God has punished His servant in place of us; God has laid on him the iniquity of us all (see 1 Peter 2:24-25). And the servant (Jesus)s carried our sins away, just as the scapegoat carried away the Israelites’ sins on the Day of Atonement.

This verse is at the heart of the Gospel—indeed of the entire Bible. It begins with the condemnation of all and it ends with the salvation of all—all who believe. Christ died in our place, He died for our sins, He died for us all—for every man and woman on earth who comes to Him in faith and asks Him to take away their sin. For all of us who have trusted Christ as Savior these poignant words can pierce our own hearts, as we begin to understand that the sinless Son of God was willingly afflicted; bruised; pierced and crushed with wounds that we merit – dying a death that we deserve, as the burden of our sin was laid upon the sinless Son of Man – our kinsman- Redeemer.

       The Lord Jesus suffered cruel treatment and gave-up His life willingly, so that all who believe on Him might not perish but be given peace with God, and have His inner peace guarding our hearts: for by His stripes, we are healed – not a healing of the body but an everlasting healing of the spirit. and the forgiveness of sins. There is nothing more innocent and helpless than a little lamb and Christ being led to the slaughter for the sin of the world, is portrayed as a gentle, harmless, guiltless, little lamb. But there is nothing more dim-witted, empty-headed and gullible than sheep, and we who are the sheep of His pasture are likened to stupid, straying sheep.

          In Summary, Jesus, Himself, showed the importance of using thoughts and Scripture from the Old Testament. On the day of His resurrection on the road to Emmaus, Jesus came upon two followers, both who did not recognize Him. They listened to “this stranger”, invited Him to eat with them, and as Jesus prayed to them Father- they recognized Jesus. They stated that their hearts burned from the Scriptures that Jesus told them. Remember New Testament Scriptures had yet to be formed and written. So, Jesus used Old Testament Scripture that burned their hearts. Their reaction is recorded by Luke.

      LUKE 24:29-34 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is

  nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with

 them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave

    thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were

    opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their

    sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within

    us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to

    us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they

    found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and

    saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

JESUS WAS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT BOTH ACTUALLY AND IN SPIRIT.

PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT

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Promises, Promises! How often have you heard that and nothing is fulfilled. I heard a recent Christmas story. It seems a six-year-old boy went to see Santa and had a question for him. While sitting on Santa’s lap, Santa asked the normal question: Sonny, what do you want for Christmas? Instead of answering this question, the little boy had a question for Santa. He asked if Santa was running for Congress. Santa wanted to know why the boy would ask that question. The little said that Santa was like a person in Congress- because Santa always delivered less than what he promised. Even as much as most like the concept of a Santa who brings gifts, we learn to appreciate the person who always helps people and always keeps their promises. Well, that is God. I have heard that God has made 5,450 promises. No, I didn’t count them. However, while maybe half of them has already been fulfilled, there are still the other half of these promises that God will keep. God always keeps His promises. Let’s look at many of those Promises that God made that has fulfilled.

            Genesis 9:8-17 and 12 God’s Early Promises

       God promised to Noah that He would never destroy the earth again with a flood. As a token of His promise, He made the rainbow. Even though the rainbow is a natural phenomenon today, it must be remembered that it had never rained before this event. God watered the earth with water from beneath. There was never a chance before the flood for there to have ever been a rainbow. It is easy to see the comparison with Jesus Christ as the Redeemer. In Noah’s day people were called to turn from their sins and return to God. When they refused to enter the ark (a sign of trusting God’s Word), they were destroyed in the flood. Today, we are called to repent of our sins and accept Christ as our Savior. Those who have not accepted the Lord will be lost to a Christ-less eternity.

      Another question fits here: How would God bring salvation to a lost, scattered humanity? God could have rescued people from sin any way He wanted, but after using Noah where it seems all have been destroyed by the flood, He chose to make a promise and work with one man, Abram and his descendants. God decided to choose a people for Himself who would do His work of evangelism in the world. So. our story of God’s planned promise for that one man begins in Genesis 12.

God’s Story is one of divine provision for human need and people’s response to that provision. Our greatest need is to be restored to a vibrant relationship with God. This should help us decide whether we are fully willing to trust and obey God. Abram, later to be renamed Abraham, had the same choice. When God called him, Abram moved out in faith from UR to Haran and finally to Canaan. God then established a covenant with Abram, telling him that he would found a great nation. Not only would this nation be blessed, God said, but the other nations of the earth would be blessed through Abram’s descendants. Israel, the nation that would come from Abram, was to follow God and influence those with whom it came in contact. Through Abram’s family tree, Jesus Christ was born to save humanity. Through Christ, people can have a personal relationship with God and be blessed beyond measure. God promise to Abraham was completed.

       The concept of covenant was not new, and it continued promises from God. God made a covenant with Noah before the flood, If he would trust God and come into the ark, then God would preserve his family through the flood (6:18). God made another covenant after the flood: He would never again destroy the earth and life upon it by a flood (9:11). In the first instance the covenant was conditional upon the people sharing in it. The second was an unconditional promise. God’s covenant with Abram had a new and distinctive dimension. God was seeking a faithful people through whom He could do a redemptive work in the world. God promised to bless Abram, but God had one condition: Abram had to do what God wanted him to do. This meant leaving his home and friends and traveling to a new land where God promised to build a great nation from Abram’s family. This same condition was repeated by Jesus when He told the disciples and all others to leave their homes and follow Him. How would we respond to these conditions? (We would be very reluctant at best! It would certainly take a lot of faith.) Abram obeyed, walking away from his home for God’s promise of even greater blessings in the future.

       God may be trying to lead us to a place of greater service and usefulness for Him. The challenge for anyone faced with that type of decision is to not let the comfort and security of one’s present position make one miss God’s plan for them. So, God called Abram to enter into covenant with Him and to become the originator and ancestor of a nation of people who would live in covenant with God. That was a major promise.

Exodus 14:5-6, 13-14, 21-26 God Delivers Another Promise

Think about what our life would be like if God delivered only judgment and not mercy. We are offered God’s mercy just as was the Israelites. As God’s Story continues, the Israelites will experience God’s continued mercy firsthand. Because the Pharaoh decided to go to bring Israel back, he experienced God’s judgment. Pharaoh had not only given Israel permission to go but had ordered them to go. As Pharaoh received reports of the lack of progress on the work that the Israelite “slaves” had been doing, he realized that their departure had done away with the major source of cheap labor. The economic consequences began to sink in and both Pharaoh and his people regretted releasing the Hebrews from slavery. Also, upon hearing that the Israelites were wandering aimlessly, the Pharaoh saw his opportunity to pursue them. The Pharaoh’s intent was to capture them and bring them back using a fast moving chariotry that could overtake the Hebrews.

       Upon learning the Egyptians were in hot pursuit, the Hebrews were losing faith. Moses showed strong leadership when the Israelites complained against him about leading them out of Egypt. Some had convinced themselves they were better off serving the Egyptians. However, Moses calmed the people by promising them they would “never see again” the Egyptians and told them they that the “Lord will fight” for them. Moses was introducing the Hebrews to the concept of holy war- the idea that Yahweh, the Lord of all the earth, would intervene on behalf of His people to deliver them from oppression of heathen armies. The “salvation” of which Moses spoke was used in the sense of military victory. The biblical concept of salvation moves forward from this early meaning to the latter one of spiritual deliverance from sin and death. So, Moses confidently predicate that God was going to win a mighty victory over Pharaoh and that after this, Egypt would no longer be a problem to Israel. This would become a forerunner of God’s promise to be delivered at the time of the Second Coming.

       Why do we sometimes miss “the seas God parts for us”? First, what do you think this means? (It points to the help or solutions that God provides for us.) There was apparently no way of escape, but the Lord opened up a dry path through the sea. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. This story tells us not to panic; God can open up a way- because God’s promises to take care of us who are true believers. The God who created the earth and water performed a mighty miracle at exactly the right time to demonstrate His great power and love for His people.  The Egyptian followed the Israelites to the Red Sea, and they started using the dry path to catch Moses and his group. The power of God intervened and told Moses to raise his staff to bring the water back over the Pharaoh and his chariots. All of the Egyptians were destroyed by water burial of the Red Sea. It has been reported a few years ago that many of the Egyptian’s chariots and weapons were found on the bottom of the Red Sea. The God of Israel (our own true God) had defeated the gods of Egypt. God delivered the Israelites and deliverance is an important feature of God’s Story. So, God is showing His care for His people, His judgment on those who oppressed His people, and His deliverance of His people. This vital relationship between God and His people serves as the central core of God’s Story and His promises, which continues as we enter into this vital relationship of faith.

                              Exodus 29:43-46 Encounter God’s Presence

Now God promised to manifest His presence among the people. Thus, the tabernacle would become the place where Israel’s God revealed Himself and lived among His people. Moreover, God desired for His people to encounter His presence. God Told Moses He would meet with the Israelites at the tabernacle (tent of meeting). The term “meet” carried the idea of an appointment, a set time when people would gather to hear God’s words. As a result of God’s presence, the place would be consecrated, literally “made holy” by God’s glory. God promised the full weight of His majesty on behalf of the people as they met to praise and to thank Him for all He had done for them.

       God promised to consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. By consecrating, or making things holy, God was instructing what was done there would be acceptable to Him. God also promised to consecrate Aaron and his sons. The priesthood belonged to Aaron and his descendants, as part of God’s ordained purposes for them to serve as priests. However, it is imperative for us to note that Moses, the priests, and Israel were just going through the symbols. The actual consecration of both objects and persons was done by God. His grace made them effective. The purpose of this ritual and this consecration was that God would “dwell among the people of Israel” (v. 45). This ritual was to help them know that He was the God who had redeemed them from Egypt. The final phrase “I am the Lord their God” (v. 46) is uniquely a covenant phrase. Because they were His people through the Exodus and the covenant, they had a special ritual of worship. Why is encountering God’s presence regularly with other believers so important? (Sharing His love, care and promise.)

        2 Samuel 7:11b-17 Establishing an Eternal Kingdom

In a reversal to what David wanted to do for the Lord, the Lord, in these verses, promises “will make a house for you (David)” (v. 11b). Of course, the word “house”, in this case, refers to David’s dynasty. This continues God’s covenant He had made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all His people who had been part of the covenant community in the past. David was not perfect (as we are Not), but he was loyal to God (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). The ancient promise to the patriarchs was to find their fulfillment in David. But a new element appears here too. Nathan, from the Lord, promised that David would have that which Saul wanted desperately (1 Sam. 20:31) but did not achieve- a succession of descendants on his throne, a dynasty (2 Sam. 7:11). This promise to David is a promise from which all Christians benefit today and until Christ’s return.

       By this time these events were written, this promise had become fact. These verses were recorded to explain how the dynasty came to be- and why it should be viewed as divinely ordained. The prophecy did not specify which son would follow David, but the Historian writer knew that Solomon was that person. Solomon was authorized to build the house for God that was denied David (v. 13), because David had shed so much blood and waged great wars (1 Chon. 22:6-16). So, in these verses God repeated His promise to David to establish his son’s kingdom forever, using the phrase “the throne of his kingdom”. Three of Jesus’ claims about Himself alluded to verse13. First, Jesus said He would build a temple (John 2:19-22).  Second, Jesus told Pilate His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Finally, Jesus said His kingdom was eternal (Luke 22:29-30). So, this glimpse into God’s greater purpose was a major turning point in God’s Story. In what ways does this affect one’s personal walk with God? (First, when God repeats something (as He did here), He means it and we need to listen. Then this was a clear promise that God would be with us all the way to eternity, especially since we have Jesus’ words.) 

       Here God is promising His Eternal Kingdom.

                 Jeremiah 29:10-14 The Promise of God

God continued to carry out His plan for His people. God is sovereign and faithful –and here the focus is on how God kept His promise to restore a “remnant”. This is the remnant that returns from a 70-year exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple. Scholars differ on the exact dates of this 70-year period in Babylon. However, it seems most likely to refer to the 70 years between the fall of Assyria and the fall of Babylon (609-539 BC). This seems to be what Jeremiah was saying when he connected the 70 years to Babylon (v.10). But some can make a good case for time being 586-516 BC, the overlapping period that Jerusalem was without a temple. Remember, the temple was the visible symbol of God’s presence. Regardless, all agree that God sent His people to Babylon for a long time, not the short captivity predicted by the false prophets. Jeremiah, in verses 5-9, encourages the “remnant” to prepare for the 70-year exile by building houses, plant gardens, marry, raise children, allow the children to marry, seek Babylon’s welfare (while they were in that land), and finally not to heed the false prophets and diviners. Jeremiah knew the long exile would take its toll on the Jews if they did not try to live as normal lives as possible- because many of them would not live to return from exile. Why do you think it was important that God told Jeremiah the length of the exile? (Think about sitting in constant preparation, likely doing nothing, for a return trip to Jerusalem.)

           So why 70 years?  First, the land (Jerusalem) would have a Sabbath rest (2 Chron. 36:21) – after being “destroyed”. Second God would then “attend to” and “confirm” His “promise” to the people (v.10). God would visit His people and also would confirm His promise, literally His good Word. Notice “you” is plural in verse 10, as God spoke through Jeremiah to His people, not to an individual. The promise was to restore them “to this place” – Jerusalem. We are all encouraged by a leader who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task given and who will be with us all the way. God is that kind of leader. He knows the future and His plans for us are good and full of hope. The “remnant” was being prepared for the heart of God’s Story- the earthly presence of Jesus.

          God did not forget His people, even though they were captives in Babylon. He planned to give them a new beginning with a new purpose- to turn them into new people. In times of dire circumstances, it may appear as though God has forgotten us. But God may be preparing us, as He did the people of Judah, for a new beginning with Him at the center. They could call upon Him with confidence. Although the exiles were in a difficult place, they need not despair because they had God’s presence, the privilege of prayer, and God’s grace. If we seek Him wholeheartedly, He will be found. Neither a strange land, sorrow, perception of problems, nor physical difficulties can break our fellowship with God. We know God restored the “remnant” and He will restore us when we search for Him with all our hearts.  

                This is yet another promise filled in God’s Story.

              Isaiah 9:6-7 Jesus Promised to Us 

As we read in the last section, Isaiah predicted the coming of God’s Son. Isaiah’s prophecy in 9:1-7 was a beacon of hope penetrating deep darkness. God promised to send a light “who” would shine on everyone living in the shadow of death. Isaiah told of God’s promise likely around 730 BC- over seven hundred years before it happened. This prophecy came during the pending attack of the Northern Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians. Isaiah also had prophesied that Judah’s (Southern Kingdom) destruction would NOT be complete, but the nation’s life would be threatened severely. God said it was time to give His people a promise of hope for the ages. Isaiah presents the events as if it were the time of the child’s arrival (a child will be born for us and a son will be given to us) with an exception of what He will achieve (v. 7), when he says “… there shall be no end” and “from now on and forever”.

Do you know where and by whom the words of verse 6 (of chapter 9) were made famous today? (Handel’s Messiah musical.) One of my many blessings in serving the Lord was when I had the great honor to lead the choir in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1964 in this marvelous music (while serving in the Air Force). I believe that was one of the major reasons that I have such a fondness for the Book of Isaiah and just had to lead in its study recently. The significance of the promised names in verse 6 relates to those names for God we have studied this month. First, we are told a child would be born to us that would fulfill the promise- not adopted, not grown from an earthly king, and not appointed. To be a “Wonderful Counselor”, He is one who is able to make wise plans and whose wisdom is far beyond human capabilities. To be a “Mighty God”, He is a mighty or heroic warrior, capable of unsurpassed strength or power to accomplish His purposes and promises.  As the “Eternal Father”, He possesses constant love, concern, and provision for His people to fulfill His caring and endless rule. Then finally, the “prince of Peace” tells us of the absence of hostilities but much more than that. It means “completeness”, “soundness”, and ‘welfare”, with health and prosperity included. John 10:10 gives us the promise of a full, rich, joyful life that Jesus gives.

Can there be any doubt that Isaiah was predicting and promising the coming of Jesus? Most of the attention by many concerning Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah centers on Isaiah 53, and certainly it is well-deserved. However, Isaiah tells all of the coming of the Messiah all through his book and no more evident than in Chapter 9. God promised that Jesus’ rule would be “vast” and it would increase as He reigns forever. The last part of verse 7- “The zeal of the Lord of Hosts” ensured the messianic reign would become a reality, where “zeal” means a “glowing fire” and conveys deep feelings. The term “Lord of Hosts” refers to God as the Commander of Heaven’s armies, and heavenly bodies (Rev. 19:14 “the armies of Heaven”).

                   Matthew 1:18-21 Jesus Comes

It is easy to turn the pages of our Bible from Isaiah’s prophecy of the “birth of the child” to Matthew’s account of actual birth of Jesus. Most of the time we read Luke 2:1-14, what we have called the true “Christmas Story”. However, Matthew 1:1-17 carefully trances the lineage from Abraham through David to Joseph. This stressed that Jesus was related to all people by including Rahab and Ruth. This Son of David fulfilled God’s promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:12-16 that I mentioned last week, and of course it fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. Matthew also clearly defines Mary and Joseph’s situation that led up to the birth of Jesus. Matthew tells us Mary had been engaged to Joseph before the pregnancy by the Holy Spirit. The Greek term “engaged” means betrothal. Betrothal among the Jews lasted for a year during which time the man and woman were considered married but did not live together and were not intimate. Divorce was necessary to end the betrothal even though the actual marriage ceremony had not taken place prior to Mary being “found with child of the Holy Ghost” (KJV).

What was the important role that Joseph (part of the lineage that Matthew describes) plays in the story of Jesus’ birth? (God’s message to Joseph was not intended just to save Mary from disgrace, but to save all of humanity.) The angel of the Lord that appeared to Joseph gave him the explanation and confidence to go far out of his comfort zone and believe in God’s wonderful plan. Mary’s pregnancy was the work of God’s creative power through the Spirit. God did what humans could not: He provided the Messiah who would redeem us from enslavement to sin. Joseph played very significant role in this process –not often recognized, albeit a subservient role. A message here for all of us might be to ask the Holy Spirit to be involved in our lives more completely. It is appropriate to say that the Holy Spirit that brought Jesus to earth as a human baby is the same Holy Spirit that resurrected Him on the third day after His crucifixion, and who was given to all of us upon Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:8). This gives two promises in one! First, the Holy Spirit is promised as Jesus ascends to Heaven and Second, it is the promise of Jesus’ Second Coming.

PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

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                JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT -Bonus
From the title it is easy to determine/predict this is a story of when Jesus is in the Old Testament. There are clearly times when Jesus actually appears in the Old Testament, but that is a story for another time- in my third book in fact. I am doing research now for that subject. Here though, I am writing about several of the very specific- important- times when the Old Testament refers to Jesus, His character and His impact, but His appearance is not actually described. Of course, the Second Coming of Jesus is clearly specified in Revelation 19:11- which is in the New Testament. However, there are more than 300 times in the Old Testament where it predicts the Second Coming. I am going to relate five specific times when there is evidence of dynamic references to Jesus, His life, and prediction of His vital relationship to God’s overall plan. This is called “theophany”.
1.    FIRST GOSPEL FOR JESUS
GENESIS 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring1 0and h0ers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.”
Traditionally, the second part of this verse is called the “protoevangelium”, the first gospel. Because it outlines the defeat of the serpent, God’s enemy, who, through deception and temptation, led mankind to sin and rebel against God. God’s plans are revealed progressively in the Bible. The book of Genesis provides several prophecies about a Messiah, including details about his bloodline. In Genesis 22:18, for example, there is a prophecy that Abraham’s seed, or offspring, depending on the English translation, would become a blessing to people throughout the world. Genesis 3:15 is part of God’s judgment of Adam, Eve and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:8-19).
       Therefore, we have in Genesis 3:15, the first promise of a Redeemer. It is the long line of prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. The Promised One would be from the woman’s seed an indication of the eventual virgin birth of Christ. The head of a serpent creeping on the ground is easily crushed and bruised, of which it is sensible, and therefore it is careful to hide and cover it. The seed of the serpent would bruise the heel of the seed of the woman. On the cross Satan bruised the heel of Christ, causing His death. Bruising suggests something that was not ultimate or final. Christ died on our behalf being made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). He bore our judgment upon Calvary’s cross and, in doing so, bruised His heel. Though wounded, the damage done to Jesus was not final, for He came back from the dead three days later.       The phrase seed of the serpent also has various explanations. It does not mean the physical descendants of the Devil but rather those who are his spiritual descendants. There is no indication that Satan ever had any physical offspring. Some feel seed of the serpent speaks of un-redeemed humanity beginning with Adam and Eve’s first son Cain and continuing on to all those who oppose God. Jesus called the religious leaders of his day the children of the Devil (John 8:44). There is also the view that the seed of the serpent refers to the creatures who have fallen like Satan. These include demons and fallen angels. The seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head indicating Satan’s ultimate defeat.
       This has different aspects:
The first stage of the Devil’s defeat was at the cross. It was there where Satan was initially defeated. Jesus said: Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out (John 12:31). When Christ eventually returns to the earth, He will bind Satan and place him in the pit (Revelation 20:1-4). Eventually Satan will be cast into the lake of fire along with those who followed him (Revelation 20:7-10). Scripture looks forward to the day when the serpent’s head will be crushed.
2.    PASSOVER LAMB
EXODUS 12:12-13 12 “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
        God said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” That is the death that has been sentenced upon man. He’s going to pass over me. I’ll not die, but I will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, into the glorious likeness of Jesus Christ. Whom, having not seen, yet I love. Even though I don’t see Him yet, in my heart I rejoice with a joy unspeakable, and full of glory because even though I am now a son of God, I don’t know for sure yet what I’m going to be, all of the full capacities and everything else. But I know that when He appears, I’m going to be like Him. For I’m going to see Him as He is, conformed into His image.
       Oh, how glorious is the hope of every child of God, who by faith follows the command of God, and who has received the sacrifice of God, God’s lamb Jesus Christ, and has received the covering of Jesus Christ, and his sins have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ. So in Exodus we have God laying out the Passover lamb, which is a type of the Lamb of God. For Jesus it was the night in which He had the Passover supper with His disciples, that He took the Passover elements and said, “Hey this is Me, this is Me don’t you understand? It’s Me. I’m the Passover Lamb. This cup is a new covenant; it’s in My blood.” No longer the lamb in Egypt and the blood of the lamb in Egypt. No longer does this feast carry you clear back to Egypt. This feast now carries you back to the cross of Jesus Christ. And as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you show the Lord’s death, not the death of the lamb in Egypt, but the death of the Lamb of God. You do show the Lord’s death until He comes. So, the feast was inaugurated, but it was inaugurated to remind, yes, but also to look forward to the fulfillment of what that lamb in Egypt typified, the Lamb of God slain for our sins.
 
3.    BRONZE SERPENT
NUMBERS 21:8-9 8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they would live.
       This is a very interesting story. So, God’s people are yet again rebelling against God and what’s happening is there’s basically a curse among God’s people and they are all getting bit by snakes and dying. And as a result of these fiery serpents among the people, God says, “Hey, take this pole, put an image of a fiery serpent on it and whenever people are bitten if they look at this then they’ll be able to live.”
              We find life by looking to a picture of death. Jesus went to the cross to bear our sins and die the death we deserve. Only in Him do we find life.
            So, I’m putting myself in the shoes of Israelities at thi000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000s point, who are being bitten by fiery serpents. The last thing I want to look to is a fiery serpent in order to live. But this symbol, this picture of death actually becomes a symbol, a picture of deliverance. So, you find life in looking to a picture that symbolizes death. And in this the stage is set for Jesus to say in John 3:14 “just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. So, the son of man must be lifted up that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Think about it. How do you and I have eternal life? By looking where? To Jesus’s death on a cross.
                   In Numbers 21, the people again got discouraged, and in their unbelief
          they murmured against Moses for bringing them into the wilderness. They had     
        already forgotten that it was their own sin that caused them to be there, and they
        tried to blame Moses for it. As a judgment against the people for their sin, God
        sent poisonous serpents into the camp, and people began to die. This showed the
        people that they were the ones in sin, and they came to Moses to confess that sin
   and ask for God’s mercy. When Moses prayed for the people, God instructed
   him to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole so the people could be
   healed (Numbers 21:5-7).
           God was teaching the people something about faith. It is totally illogical to think that looking at a bronze image could heal anyone from snakebite, but that is exactly what God told them to do. It took an act of faith in God’s plan for anyone to be healed, and the serpent on the stick was a reminder of their sin which brought about their suffering. There is no connection between this serpent and the serpent which Satan spoke through in the Garden of Eden. This serpent was symbolic of the serpents God used to chastise the people for their unbelief.

       A couple of additional lessons are taught in the Bible regarding this bronze serpent. The people did get healed when they looked at the serpent, and the image was kept for many years. Many years later, when the Israelites were in the Promised Land, the serpent became an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4). This shows how easy it is for us to take the things of God and twist them into idolatry. We must never worship the tools or the people God chooses to use, but always bring the honor and glory to God alone.
       The next reference we find in the Bible to this serpent is in John 3:14. Jesus indicated that this bronze serpent was a foreshadowing of Him. The serpent, a symbol of sin and judgment, was lifted up from the earth and put on a tree, which was a symbol of a curse (Galatians 3:13). The serpent lifted up and cursed symbolized Jesus, who takes away sin from everyone who would look to Him in faith, just like the Israelites had to look to the upraised symbol in the wilderness. Paul is reminding the Galatians that Jesus became a curse for us, although He was blameless and sinless—the spotless Lamb of God. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
4.  FORSAKEN SAVIOR
PSALM 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?
       All Scripture is inspired by God but some passages cause us to take off our shoes from off our feet for the content they communicate is most holy and precious. It was David that was caused to pen these prophetic words, which were uttered by our Savior on the cross, when He bore the sin of the world in His body on the Tree. No matter what caused David to pen this Psalm, we remember the solemn event, which it foreshadowed. For three long hours’ time embraced eternity. as the world was plunged into a thick darkness. Heaven was hushed and time stood still – and God turned His face away from the Son of His love, in Whom He was well pleased.
       For the three of the blackest hours in human history the eternal Son of God was separated from His Father in heaven as He was made sin on our account. My God my God why hast Thou forsaken me? was the question He screamed – and these poignant words must have reverberated throughout an astonished universe. The curse of the Law sliced though His spirit, soul and body as He drank the bitter cup that would provide such blessing for all who were born under the curse of the Law. For all who believe on Him, by grace through faith, would be reconciled to God; become eternally saved and forever forgiven, by means of the astonishing atoning sacrifice that Christ made on that singular day.
       Why did God forsake the Son of His love? Why did His heavenly Father turn His back on His only begotten Son in Whom He delighted? Why should God the Son suffer the concentrated horror of those three eternal hours. Well scripture gives us the answer: God is just and He is holy and sin must be punished. Every sin and all sin had to be punished. The price of death for every broken law has to be paid in full. And the sinless Lord Jesus, Who is God in the flesh, took upon Himself every sin we committed and every violation of God’s perfect Law – together with the inherent sin we received from our forefathers and the inherited sin nature we received as part of Adam’s fallen race.
       Christ voluntarily took upon Himself the responsibility of paying the price for all our sin (committed sins, inherent sin and the inherited sin nature) and God laid on HIM the iniquity of the world. How shocking that the truth of the glorious gospel has been so watered down by Christendom in order to make it palatable to seeker-friendly churches. How shocking that so many legalists do not consider that Christ’s sacrificial death was sufficient – and insist that we have to add our own works to His finished work on the cross. How shocking that the vast majority of humanity have refused to hear and receive the glorious gospel of grace.
       The debt we owe our Savior should be a never-ending stream of grateful love that floods through our heart and soul, knowing that He was made sin on our account so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Him. It was for our sake that He was forsaken, and it was US that he was forced to cry out: My God my God why hast Thou forsaken Me? so that by faith in Him we might never be forsaken but united with Him forever.
5.  SUFFERING SAVIOR
ISAIAH 53:5-6 “5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him t0he iniquity of us all.”
        But, in fact, He was suffering not for His own transgressions but for our transgressions, says Isaiah. The punishment the servant endured would bring the people peace, peace with God. By his wounds we are healed (forgiven). Out of the servant’s suffering and death would come blessing and salvation for the people (see 1 Peter 2:24).Isaiah even prophesies that the servant would be pierced (see Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10); Jesus was pierced as He hung on the cross (John 19:34).
                We all, like sheep, have gone astray; we haven’t merely become lost, we   
          have turned to our own way. All of us are guilty of willfulness and rebellion against God.
          Yet God has punished His servant in place of us; God has laid on him the
         iniquity of us all (see 1 Peter 2:24–25). And the servant (Jesus) has carried our sins
         away, just as the scapegoat carried away the Israelites’ sins on the Day of Atonement.
        This verse is at the heart of the Gospel—indeed of the entire Bible. It begins with the condemnation of all and it ends with the salvation of all—all who believe. Christ died in our place, He died for our sins, He died for us all—for every man and woman on earth who comes to Him in faith and asks Him to take away their sin. For all of us who have trusted Christ as Savior these poignant words can pierce our own hearts, as we begin to understand that the sinless Son of God was willingly afflicted; bruised; pierced and crushed with wounds that we merit – dying a death that we deserve, as the burden of our sin was laid upon the sinless Son of Man – our kinsman- Redeemer.
       The Lord Jesus suffered cruel treatment and gave-up His life willingly, so that all who believe on Him might not perish but be given peace with God, and have His inner peace guarding our hearts: for by His stripes, we are healed – not a healing of the body but an everlasting healing of the spirit. and the forgiveness of sins. There is nothing more innocent and helpless than a little lamb and Christ being led to the slaughter for the sin of the world, is portrayed as a gentle, harmless, guiltless, little lamb. But there is nothing more dim-witted, empty-headed and gullible than sheep, and we who are the sheep of His pasture are likened to stupid, straying sheep.
          In Summary, Jesus, Himself, showed the importance of using thoughts and Scripture from the Old Testament. On the day of His resurrection on the road to Emmaus, Jesus came upon two followers, both who did not recognize Him. They listened to “this stranger”, invited Him to eat with them, and as Jesus prayed to them Father- they recognized Jesus. They stated that their hearts burned from the Scriptures that Jesus told them. Remember New Testament Scriptures had yet to be formed and written. So, Jesus used Old Testament Scripture that burned their hearts. Their reaction is recorded by Luke.
      LUKE 24:29-34 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is
    nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with
    them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave
    thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were
    opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their
    sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within
    us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to
    us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they
    found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and
    saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

GOD’S COMPLETE STORY

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This is a newly published book. It is the first one from Ronald Robbins. In the picture below click the arrow to see and hear a 65 second video trailer and a quick look at the story of growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

Ronald L. Robbins, author, is a dedicated Christian, writer, teacher, deacon, and choir singer. He was married for forty-five years until his wife passed away with cancer (nearly fourteen years ago). They had two children, a girl and a boy, together, and now he has four grandchildren. He is close to his daughter and son (their spouses) and four grandchildren. Ronald is a graduate from Indiana University with a BS degree in quantitative business analysis and is an Air Force veteran (four years active duty and two years in Reserves). His passion is to witness for Jesus Christ, teach two weekly classes of the Bible, and sing praises to the Lord with the church choir. It seems two other passions have been appearing recently: to go back to learning to play the piano that was started during his Air Force days while a choir director in a Klamath Falls, Oregon, church and to write a second book that he has already outlined with a Jesus-like animal to help all those near the animal. The work on this current book has been ongoing for over three years and was completed to bring out God’s story from its initiation until the Glorious Future, as told by this book, God’s Complete Story.

This book tells the complete story of our Lord and Savior from Genesis through Revelation- to the New Heaven and New Earth. 1 Peter 3:18 is the overriding theme- “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

The book is available in paperback and in E Book form.

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