By Scott Johnson
John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. "Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev 1:4-8 NIV)
God loves you--and God loves mankind! 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. (Joh 3:16 NIV) This love is shown by Christ's shed blood--and his blood has freed us from our sins in order that we might receive the free gift of eternal life. This free gift was purchased by the blood of the Lamb!
On Passover night over 4,000 years ago, a nation was freed from the bondage of slavery where they had been held captive for over 400 years. Their pleas and their cries were sent to heaven's throne as the people sought release from a miserable and difficult existence because of slavery. A transformation came on that Passover night as the angel of death struck down every first born creature in every home in the land--except homes where the blood of the lamb was painted on the front door posts. Approximately 2 million people were transformed that night as they escaped the death angel's curse and were saved to make their way to Canaan, the promised land flowing with milk and honey. Transformation came to this nation, slavery died and freedom was born by the blood of the lamb.
A great and permanent transformation is coming soon for earth's inhabitants. The slavery of sin continues to thrive and increase, holding captive all who have rejected the Son and the Lamb's blood. But, for all who have received Him and His word, deliverance is coming soon. Transformation is coming for all who are ready to receive the blessed escape from slavery and entry into the land flowing with milk and honey!
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (1Jn 1:1-10 NIV)
Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy." "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Rev 22:11-17 NIV)
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected]