The Revelation of Jesus Christ
By Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
The last great book of the Bible opens with the words: “The revelation of Jesus Christ,” and from these words it derives its title: “The Revelation.” In this book St. John deals largely with the return of Christ in glory to judge and reign.
II Thes. 1:7,8 tells us that one day “the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven… in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that… obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is what the book of the Revelation is basically about. But this phraseology is also used in Paul’s epistles, for in Gal. 1:11,12 he says:
“I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Surely this is not the same “revelation of Jesus Christ” of which John wrote. St. Paul refers not to “the revelation of Jesus Christ” in glory, but to “the revelation of Jesus Christ” in grace while He delays the judgment; not His revelation to the world in person, but His revelation to the world through Paul the chief of sinners, saved by grace. In Verses 15,16 of Gal. 1, the Apostle says: “…it pleased God… to reveal His Son in Me.” What a revelation of grace to a sin-cursed world when God saved Saul, His bitter, blaspheming enemy! He tells about it in I Tim. 1:13-16, where he says:
“[I] was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious… Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING.”
This is why Paul says: “…it pleased God… to reveal His Son in Me.” By saving the chief of sinners (as Paul calls himself in I Tim. 1:15), God would show us that He is willing to save any sinner, “for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).
Today's Devotional Sponsor:
By Pastor Cornelius R. Stam
Perhaps you have heard the story of the man who inquired from a mountaineer the way to a certain destination.
The mountaineer stuttered and stammered and finally said: “You can’t get there from here.”
We may smile at this, but the results would be even more amusing — and sad — were we to ask the average person on the street the way to heaven.
What is the way to heaven? It is interesting to read in God’s Word what many think about this. In Proverbs 14:12 we read:
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
What are some of these “ways” that “seem right” to men, leading them to hope for heaven? Joining a church? Being baptized? Doing one’s best? Keeping the Ten Commandments? Loving one’s neighbor as himself? These are a few of the ways that men follow, hoping to gain eternal life, but they all come under one heading: “Do good.”
But what do the Scriptures say about this? In the Gospel according to John there are recorded for us seven “I ams,” which the Lord Jesus Christ used in speaking of Himself. One of these is found in John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”
This passage has a double significance, since it was not only the declaration of the Lord Jesus Christ, but at the same time a declaration of the divinely inspired Scriptures. From this verse we learn not only that Jesus is the only way to the Father, but also that He is “the truth” to be believed and trusted in. Thus we can believe the Lord Jesus when He claims to be the way to heaven.
But according to this passage He is also “the life.” As we place our faith in Him as the One who died on the cross for us, we receive eternal life. “He died that we might live.”
BROWN SUGAR BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1lb bacon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
How to make:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease a baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.Try this recipe for bacon wrapped chicken. You will love the chicken wrapped in bacon combined with brown sugar. It's so quick and easy.
2. Wrap each chicken breast with 3-4 slices of bacon. Tuck the bacon under the chicken as shown. Place into prepared pan.Try this recipe for bacon wrapped chicken. You will love the chicken wrapped in bacon combined with brown sugar. It's so quick and easy.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, soy sauce, onion powder, cinnamon, olive oil and garlic powder. Mix well. Pour over chicken in pan and spread on top of bacon with a brush.Try this recipe for bacon wrapped chicken. You will love the chicken wrapped in bacon combined with brown sugar. It's so quick and easy.
4. Bake for 35-45 minutes depending on thickness of your chicken.
Serves 4
DAILY SMILE & A WORD...
A three year old walked over to the pregnant lady while waiting with his mother in the doctor’s office.
He inquisitively asked the lady, "Why is your stomach so big?"
“I'm having a baby."
With big eyes, he asked, "Is the baby in your stomach?"
"He sure is."
Then the little boy, with a puzzled look, asked, "Is it a good baby?"
"Oh yes. It's a good baby."
With an even more surprised and shocked look, he asked,
"Then why in the world did you eat him?"
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"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward." - Psalm 127:3
"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5
I'm glad you could join me for today's content, and I look forward to bringing you more next time!
Until then, bye-bye!
Joe Cosity
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