Creator, Supporter, Preserver John 1:3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
LORD of All Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) Romans 10:11-13For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.Joel 2:32
Jehovah God speaking: Isaiah 43:3For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Isaiah 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. Isaiah 43:10-11 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. Isaiah 44:6Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Isaiah 48:12Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
Jesus Christ speaking Revelation 1:8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. Revelation 1:17-18And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 22:13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:18-19For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Hebrews 1:7-11 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; John 20:28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Old Testament Promise The first promise of a redeemer for man’s sin is found inGenesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Isaiah gives more details on how the redeemer will come; Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. And who he will be; Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Sin came by man, Adam disobeyed God: Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (Read account in Genesis 3:1-8) The Apostle Paul reminds that it was Adam who sinned not Eve: 1 Tim 2:13-14For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. And because of Adam 1 Corinthians 15:22For as in Adam all die, … Romans 5:14,18 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, … Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation;… Sin passes through the blood to all born of man. “Blood from the mother passes through the placenta, filtering oxygen, glucose and other nutrients to the baby via the umbilical cord. … It keeps the mother’s blood separate from the baby’s blood to protect the baby against infections”. The Redeemer had to be sinless (not inherit the sin of his father through the blood) Virgin Born. Luke 1:27-35 tells of the Virgin Mary. Luke 2 records the Birth of the Lord Jesus; Virgin Born, lived a sinless life and Died for the sins of man as recorded in Isaiah 53:6-9. The Apostle Peter also reminds of the Lord’s Sinless life and death of the Lord 1 Peter 2:21-25 The Apostle Paul writes “ … who knew no sin …” 2 Corinthians 5:21he also reminds that Christ not only lived but 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “… how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” And after 40 days Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. He ascended into Heaven.
Isaiah 9:6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38 (also see Virgin Born)
Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Colossians 4:3Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…..And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The Cross is seen almost everywhere, in Churches, in outdoor displays and even in Jewelry. It causes one to wonder how many people really know the importance of THE CROSS. How many realize the cross represents the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. In fact, some crosses depict the Lord Jesus STILL hanging on the cross. Do they not realize He rose from the grave, ascended into Heaven, seated at the right hand of God the father?
1 Corinthians 1:17-18For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. Galatians 6:14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Philippians 2:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 3:18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
He is not here!
He is not here!
He is HERE!
The image or likeness of a cross is not important.It’s what the Lord Jesus did on the cross that matters. He paid for the sins of the whole world. His coming out of the grave and ascending to Heaven to become an advocate for all who believe.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
There are those who believe Christ was crucified on a cross shaped like an X, Others believe it was an I (stake). The scripture does not tell us and a search of crosses points to all three being used as the Romans crucified uncounted thousands. But just what does the scripture say? Matthew and Luke give a clue.
Matthew 27:35-38 And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
Luke 23:35-39 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews.
Did you notice, a sign was nailed OVER HIS HEAD? (Matthew 27:37, Luke 23:38) This rules out an X. A sign could not have been placed OVER his head. What about an I (stake)? Yes, a sign could have been nailed over his head BUT it would have had to been placed above his HANDS which would have been nailed above his head.
The instrument of Jesus’ crucifixion (known in Latin as crux, in Greek as stauros) is generally taken to have been composed of an upright wooden beam to which was added a transom, thus forming a “cruciform” or T-shaped structure.
John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
1 Peter 1:19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Lamb appears 25 times in the Book of Revelation most of the references are to a person. And study of these verses point to the Lamb being the Lord Jesus. (exception Revelation 13:8,11)
Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Lamb appears 69 times in the Old Testament and mostly refers to a young sheep. One exception is in Isaiah prophesizing of the Lord’s crucifixion: Isaiah 53:7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Conclusion
You need the Lamb’s blood applied, not to your doorpost as in the Passover (Exodus 12:7), but over your life (John 3:16-17). If you have not believed in the death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and confessed that Jesus is God (Romans 10:9) realizing your need for a Savior and trusted in Christ for eternal life, you are going to be led to the slaughter someday (Revelation 20:11-15). Only the blood of the Lamb of God can take away your sins. I suggest you trust in Christ and have His blood atone for your sins…or you will have to pay for your own sins someday and unfortunately, that will take all of eternity to pay.
Psalm 110 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
The above passage speaks of the reign of the Lord Jesus during the 1000 years, following the 7 year Tribulation. It begins with the ascension of Christ into Heaven. Acts 1:9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
The Lord Jesus quoted this scripture as he taught in the Temple. Mark 12:35-36, Luke 20:42 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. And at his trial, the night before he was crucified, he answered the high priest: Matthew 26:64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Luke 22:69Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
The apostle Peter, on the day of Pentecost, preached to the men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem: Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
And Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, disputing against the Jewish leaders, was attacked and stoned, as he told them what he saw before he died. Acts 7:55-56But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. It’s important to note that Jesus was standing, not sitting. Remember what the Psalmist wrote: The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Every Jewish leader would know this scripture. This may represent Jesus rising momentarily from the throne of glory to greet his martyr, standing as a witness to vindicate Stephen’s testimony, or preparing to return. “Seated” not standing, and this enraged them. Acts 7:57-58 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
The apostle Paul reminds believers, both Gentile and Jew where Christ is. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Colossians 3:1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
And the apostle Peter writing to fellow Jews assures them of where the Lord Jesus is, and his power. 1 Peter 3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
In the book of Psalm, the Lord God is referred/called, The ROCK/STONE
Psalm 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? Psalm 18:46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 28:1 Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Psalm 31:2-3 Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Psalm 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 42:9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Psalm 61:2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 62:2He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. Psalm 62:6-7 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalm 71:3 Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. Psalm 78:35And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Psalm 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. Psalm 91:12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Psalm 92:15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 94:22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge. Psalm 95:1O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Psalm 114:8Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters. Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. Psalm 144:12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
And in the New Testament we see just who the STONE/ROCK is…
Romans 9:33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
1 Peter 2:6-8Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1 Corinthians 10:4And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
YES, Christ Jesus is the ROCK, STONE, the VERY GOD.
