1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Today we conclude our Christmas Series, “The Coming King”. The baby Jesus in the manger was, humanly speaking, the “beginning” of the Christmas story. But the true “Christmas story” began before there was a universe, because Jesus Christ, The Lamb of God was slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).
The message of Christmas is a message of redemption. It’s a message of God’s love for sinners (Romans 5:8). It’s a message of hope (1 Peter 1:3-5). The message of Christmas is a message life, eternal life (1 John 5:10-13).
We have taken this month to look at the “portrait” of Jesus on the island of Patmos as it was recorded by the apostle John in Revelation 1:12-18. From the virgin birth of Jesus to His death on the cross, burial, resurrection from the dead and ascension to the right hand of The Father, the purpose for the Christmas story is revealed. As glorious and wonderful as the mystery of the Incarnation is, what we often miss is that main message of life on earth and through all eternity as recorded in the entire canon of Holy Writ is not the redemption of man, but The Redeemer of man and the glory that is due to His Name!!
his glorious message of life and hope is God’s medicine for those who are suffering due to all the sorrows and pains of life here on planet earth. The One Who was, and is, and is to come has promised us that He is coming back again. He is coming to usher in a new heaven and earth where there will be no more sorrow, sin or death. As a church family, we have said goodbye to a number of precious saints; but we do not sorrow as others who do not have hope. Jesus said to the repentant thief on the cross, “…today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Whenever that “today” is for you or me, we know beyond a shadow of doubt that the best is yet to come because Jesus said, “… I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25,26) Hallelujah! Reader, do you believe this? To know Christ is to know what Christmas means. Merry Christmas! Selah
