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LIFE OF CHRIST
A Harmony of the Gospels
LESSON TWENTY FIVE
THE EIGHTH DAY
Each evangelist's account of the resurrection emphasizes different
particulars.
Matthew alone notes the outward glory, the earthquake, the
agency of the angel, and the impotence of the military and priestly
power to crush the new faith.
The order of events as here recorded is somewhat confused, and debated
by many.
However, we may suggest that it went something like this:
| 1. |
Mark 16:1
The two Mary's and Salome bought the spices the previous evening at
the close of the Sabbath |
| 2. |
Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke
24:1; John 20:1
They came early in the morning to anoint the body |
| 3. |
Luke 24:2,3; John 20:1
As they were coming, they felt the earthquake, and saw that the
stone was rolled away, and that the tomb was empty |
| 4. |
John 20:2
Mary Magdalene, who did not enter with the other women, or approach
as closely, thought that someone had stolen the body, and ran back
immediately to tell the disciples |
| 5. |
Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5-7; Luke
24:3-7
The other Mary and Salome actually entered the tomb, and saw the
angels, who told them to return to the disciples and tell them that
Jesus was risen, and would precede them to Galilee |
| 6. |
Matthew 28:8; Mark 16:8; Luke
24:8,9
There were other women who had come along, and apparently the women
reacted differently -
some returned with joy, telling the disciples -
others, from fear, said nothing until later -
in any event, the message which the women got to the disciples was
garbled at best. |
| 7. |
John 20:2-4
It was Mary Magdalene, who apparently had not remained with the
other women at the tomb, who told them that His body had been
removed, whereupon Peter and John ran to the tomb, Mary following
behind them. |
| 8. |
John 20:5-10
After Peter and John had seen inside the tomb they left, and John
believed |
| 9. |
John 20:11-17
Mary Magdalene remained in the garden, still under the impression
that the body had been moved, until Jesus appeared to her. |
| 10. |
Luke 24:10; John 20:18
It was then, after she had seen Jesus for herself, that she joined
in with the other women, telling the Disciples what they had seen
and heard, and that HE WAS ALIVE! |
|
|
|
Matthew 28:1-10
| (1)
Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to
dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
|
(2)
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the
Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone
from the door, and sat on it. (3) His countenance
was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. (4)
And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
(5) But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not
be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
(6) He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see
the place where the Lord lay. (7) And go quickly and
tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He
is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.
Behold, I have told you." |
(8)
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy,
and ran to bring His disciples word.
(9) And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus
met them, saying, "Rejoice!" So
they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. (10)
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be
afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they
will see Me."
NKJV |
|
Mark 16:1-11
| (1)
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother
of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and
anoint Him. (2) Very early in the morning, on the
first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had
risen. |
(3)
And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone
from the door of the tomb for us?" (4) But when they
looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away -- for
it was very large. (5) And entering the tomb,
they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the
right side; and they were alarmed.
(6) But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek
Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not
here. See the place where they laid Him. (7) But go,
tell His disciples -- and Peter -- that He is going before you
into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." |
(8)
So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they
trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for
they were afraid.
(9) Now when He rose early on the first day of the week,
He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast
seven demons. (10) She went and told those who had
been with Him, as they mourned and wept. (11) And
when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they
did not believe.
NKJV |
|
Luke 24:1-12
| (1)
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning,
they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb
bringing the spices which they had prepared. |
(2)
But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. (3)
Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
(4 ) And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this,
that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.
(5) Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the
earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the
dead? (6) He is not here, but is risen! Remember how
He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, (7)
saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of
sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'"
(8) And they remembered His words. |
(9) Then they returned from the tomb
and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
(10) It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of
James, and the other women with them, who told these things to
the apostles. (11) And their words seemed to them
like idle tales, and they did not believe them. (12)
But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw
the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling
to himself at what had happened.
NKJV |
|
John 20:1-18
| (1) Now
the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early,
while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken
away from the tomb. |
| (2)
Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple,
whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the
Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid
Him." |
| (3) Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and
were going to the tomb. (4) So they both ran
together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the
tomb first. (5) And he, stooping down and looking
in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.
(6) Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into
the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, (7)
and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying
with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
(8) Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first,
went in also; and he saw and believed. (9) For as
yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again
from the dead. (10) Then the disciples went away
again to their own homes. |
(11) But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as
she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. (12)
And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the
other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13)
Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"
She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I
do not know where they have laid Him."
(14) Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw
Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
(15) Jesus said to her, "Woman, why
are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You
have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I
will take Him away."
(16) Jesus said to her, "Mary!"
She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say,
Teacher).
(17) Jesus said to her, "Do not
cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to
My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and
your Father, and to My God and your God.'"
(18) Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she
had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
NKJV |
|
The linen clothes lying by themselves
Had the body been stolen away, all that was wrapped about it would have
been taken away with it; as the delay which must have been occasioned by
stripping it might have led to the detection of the theft; nor would the
disciples have run such a risk if they had stolen Him, when stripping
the body could have answered no end.
All the particulars noted by John prove that the thing was done
leisurely;
in
order and
regularity being observed through the whole. |
It was
one of the trademarks of the earthly ministry of Jesus -
never rushed,
always on time
everything in order, and
with a purpose. |
They did not know the Scripture
Possibly referring to Psalm 16:10:
"For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your
Holy one to see corruption." (NKJV)
The
NASB has it:
"For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your
Holy One to undergo decay."
It was certainly a reproach to the disciples that they had not
understood this prophecy, when Jesus had given them often the most
direct information concerning it. Jesus had referred to the history of
Jonah, which was at once the type and the proof of His own resurrection.
But we will not think too harshly of them when we remember Luke
18:33,34:
"...and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood
none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the
things that were said ("When the Spirit is come. ..." They would
understand).
Two angels in white sitting
John 20:12 says that when Mary Magdalene looked into the tomb,
"she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the
head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."
Like the cherubim on the mercy-seat, between which "the Lord of hosts
dwelt,"
Exodus 25:22.
Jesus said to her, "Mary"
It was Jesus Himself standing before her.
It was Jesus, but not as she
had known Him.
There was something spiritual, something not of earth, in
that risen and glorified body.
Do not cling to me
Some have translated it: "Do not touch me."
The word for "touch", or "cling," is "apto" - light, kindle (a fire); touch, take hold
of, hold, cling to, handle.
Some have suggested
That Jesus was telling Mary not to touch Him,
because He had not yet ascended to His
Father to offer the blood of the sacrifice upon the mercy seat, and to
be an acceptable sacrifice. If He was touched by sinful humanity before
this, He would be defiled, and the sacrifice would not be acceptable. |
Another thought is:
Remembering that immediately upon His death the veil was rent from top
to bottom,
thus opening the Holiest Place;
and the graves being opened;
and Jesus Himself saying in His dying breath "It is
FINISHED!";
plus the
fact that some actually came out of their graves at His resurrection;
with all this in mind, it seems somewhat inconsistent to say that
the sacrifice had not as yet been accepted.
Jesus IS the Mercy Seat. |
Also,
When we consider the major meanings of the word "touch," is it not
possible to suppose that Jesus was telling Mary that she should not
cling to Him, as to hold Him here for fear of another separation from
the One whom she loved so much -
that it was necessary for Him to go
away, as He had told His disciples, in order for the Spirit to come, and
for there to be an even more precious closeness (one which could never
be taken away) with Him than His physical presence could afford. |
This phrase could be quite literally translated "stop clinging to me!
You can't hold me here!"
Go to My brethren
Spiritual relationships now take the place of natural relationships.
| At first they were SERVANTS
(Luke 12:38) |
| Then DISCIPLES
(Students, Followers) |
| A little before His death, they were called His
FRIENDS (John 15:15) |
| Now he calls them BROTHERS |
And after the Spirit is poured out, as Paul tells us in
Ephesians,
|
We are His BODY! |
|
We are His BRIDE! |
|
We are "ONE FLESH" |
THE FORTY DAYS
This begins the 40 days during which Jesus appeared to
many between His resurrection and His ascension.
Acts 1:3
To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many
infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and
speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
(NKJV)
1 Corinthians 15:4-8
And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day
according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas,
then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred
brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the
present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen
by James, then by all the apostles. (NKJV)
Mark 16:12, 13
| (12)
After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they
walked and went into the country. |
(13)
And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe
them either.
NKJV |
|
Luke 24:13-35
(13)
Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a
village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.
(14) And they talked together of all these things which
had happened. (15) So it was, while they conversed
and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.
(16) But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not
know Him.
(17) And He said to them, "What kind
of conversation is this that you have with one another as you
walk and are sad?"
(18) Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said
to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You
not known the things which happened there in these days?"
(19) And He said to them, "What
things?"
So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth,
who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the
people, (20) and how the chief priests and our
rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified
Him. (21) But we were hoping that it was He who was
going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the
third day since these things happened. (22) Yes, and
certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early,
astonished us. (23) When they did not find His body,
they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who
said He was alive. (24) And certain of those who
were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had
said; but Him they did not see."
(25) Then He said to them, "O
foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the
prophets have spoken! (26) Ought not the Christ to
have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?"
(27) And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He
expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning
Himself.
(28) Then they drew near to the village where they were
going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.
(29) But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for
it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in
to stay with them.
(30) Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with
them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to
them. (31) Then their eyes were opened and they knew
Him; and He vanished from their sight.
(32) And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn
within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He
opened the Scriptures to us?" |
(33)
So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and
found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
(34) saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared
to Simon!" (35) And they told about the things that
had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the
breaking of bread.
NKJV |
|
Seven miles from Jerusalem
From "threescore
furlongs"
Emmaus was 60 furlongs or stadia - 7 or 8 miles from Jerusalem.
In what
direction is not stated.
Barnes says:
In regard to the locality of Emmaus, it seems quite
probable that it is the same village which is referred to by
Josephus ("Jewish Wars," vii. 6, Section 6), who states that, after
the destruction of Jerusalem, Titus gave "Emmaus," distant from
Jerusalem threescore furlongs, to 800 of his troops, whom he had
dismissed from his army, for their habitation. Dr. Thomson ("The
Land and the Book," vol. ii. p. 307, 540) regards it as the present
Kuriet el 'Aineb, which Dr. Robinson identifies with Kirjath-jearim.
Of this place he says: "Kuriet el 'Aineb itself would be the proper
distance from Jerusalem, and being on the road to Jaffa, and on the
dividing ridge between the plain and the mountains, the Roman
emperor might have deemed it an advantageous post for a colony made
up of his disbanded soldiers, who could keep in check the
surrounding country. Certain it is that in these later ages the
occupants of this place have controlled the whole adjacent region,
and for many a generation exercised their lawless tyranny upon
helpless pilgrims.
"It took just three hours' moderate riding from Kuriet el 'Aineb to
Jerusalem: first, a long descent into Wady Hanina, which passes
between it and Soba; then a similar ascent, succeeded by a very
steep pass, and a very slippery path down to Kulonia. At this place
are some heavy foundations of church, convent, or castle by the
road-side, which may be of almost any age, and also gardens of
fruit-trees, irrigated by a fountain of excellent water. Kulonia is
on a hill north of the road, and appears in a fair way to become a
ruin itself before long. The path then winds up a valley, and
stretches over a dreary waste of bare rocks until within a mile of
the city, when the view opens upon its naked ramparts and the
mysterious regions toward the Dead Sea." |
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by
Biblesoft)
Jesus drew near and went with them
Cleopas - Father of James the less -husband of Mary (Maria), sister of
Mary (Miriam) -
Some think the other was Luke - one of the 70.
The verb "went with" in the imperfect.
The use of the imperfect here is
very beautiful. Jesus drew near while they were absorbed in their talk, and was
ALREADY WALKING WITH THEM when they observed Him.
Foolish ones and slow of heart
The
AV has "Fools" -
This is an unfortunate translation, in the light of the ordinary, popular use of the word "fool." Jesus would never have called those
sorrowful disciples "fools" in that sense.
The word is compounded of "a"
(not), and "noeoo," which implies, besides "seeing," perception of the
mind as consequent upon sight. It is therefore equivalent to "dull
of
perception."
They had read what the prophets had spoken, but had failed
to perceive its application to Christ.
"Slow of heart," goes deeper, and contemplates the region of feeling and
moral susceptibility.
So in this phrase we find a two-fold rebuke:
| 1. |
To the UNDERSTANDING |
- |
They were Dull of Perception |
| 2. |
To the UNBELIEVING |
- |
Their Slowness (Hardness) of Heart |
Took bread...Blessed...Broke...Gave
The father of the house, or the master of the meal commonly did this.
They had seen Jesus do this countless
times before.
The entire life and ministry of Jesus is wrapped up in these three
words:
| 1. |
He Blessed |
- |
God |
- |
(the word for blessed is used of
blessing God) |
| 2. |
He Broke |
- |
The Bread |
- |
(He was that bread) |
| 3. |
He Gave |
- |
The Bread |
- |
(to His Followers) |
"And gave" is also in the imperfect, indicating that
while He was in
the act of distributing they recognized Him.
Luke 24:36-43
| (36)
Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst
of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."
(37) But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed
they had seen a spirit. |
| (38)
And He said to them, "Why are you
troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? (39)
Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and
see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I
have." |
(40)
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
(41) But while they still did not believe for joy, and
marveled, He said to them, "Have you any
food here?" (42) So they gave Him a piece of
a broiled fish and some honeycomb. (43) And He took
it and ate in their presence.
NKJV |
|
John 20:19-25
| (19)
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week,
when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for
fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to
them, "Peace be with you."
|
(20)
When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
(21) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace
to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
(22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and
said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
(23) If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven
them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." |
(24)
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with
them when Jesus came. (25) The other disciples
therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said
to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and
put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into
His side, I will not believe."
NKJV |
|
It was the same day, as it was toward evening when the two of Emmaus had
constrained Him, and when they recognized Him, He vanished
and they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem (Lk.24:33).
They were still talking about what had happened when the Lord appeared
in their midst
It is also a possibility that this is according to the Roman usage,
reckoning from midnight to midnight (considering that they had made a 7
mile walk, which they would not do on the Sabbath), which would make it
toward the close of the first day.
The doors were shut
The faith of the disciples was not very strong, and they were under the
impression that they would be the next victims if found. Some think, therefore, that they had the doors not only shut, but barricaded.
Why do doubts arise
As if He had said, "Why do you reason about a matter which your
spiritual perception ought to discern at once?"
He breathed on them
The act was symbolic, after the manner of the Hebrew prophets.
Ezekiel 37:5
Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to
enter into you, and you shall live. (NKJV)
And Ezekiel 37:6
“...and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall
know that I am the LORD." (NKJV)
| The feast of the Passover |
Represented His death, burial,
and resurrection
| The New Life breathed |
As to the awareness of it |
|
| The feast of Pentecost |
Represented the beginning of the New
Life
| The New Life breathed |
As to the exercising of it |
|
|
|
| The Gift of Passover |
The Quickening |
| The Gift of Pentecost |
The Endowing |
|
|
| The Gift of Passover |
The Power of Resurrection |
| The Gift of Pentecost |
The Power of Ascension |
|
|
| The Gift of Passover |
Produces Victory |
| The Gift of Pentecost |
Produces Sovereignty |
If you forgive the sins of any
Jesus gave an example of this with the man let down through the roof (
Luke 5:20).
James 5:14,15 could fall into this classification:
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and
let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him
up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
(NKJV)
If you retain the sins of any
The examples we find are:
Jesus did not speak this to the disciples so that they could use this
power at will.
This statement is directly connected with vs. 22, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost."
And this power is always and only to be
exercised:
| 1. |
Under the direction of the Holy Ghost |
| 2. |
In the Spirit of Divine Discernment |
Acts 5:4-11
While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was
it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your
heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So
great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the
young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing
what had happened. And Peter answered her, "Tell me whether you sold the
land for so much?"
She said, "Yes, for so much."
Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test
the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your
husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." Then
immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the
young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her
by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who
heard these things. (NKJV)
Acts 8:18-24
And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the
Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me
this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy
Spirit."
But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought
that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have
neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in
the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and
pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."
Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the
things which you have spoken may come upon me." (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and
such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles -- that a
man has his father's wife! And you are puffed up, and have not
rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from
among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit,
have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this
deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered
together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his
spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (NKJV)
I will not believe The unbelief of Thomas becomes:
| 1. |
UNREASONABLE |
Ten of the apostles, plus other
disciples who were with them witnessed that they had seen Jesus,
but he rejected their testimony. |
| 2. |
OBSTINATE |
He was determined not to believe on any
evidence that it might please God to give him: he would
believe according to his own prejudices, or not at all. |
| 3. |
PRESUMPTUOUS |
A view of the person of Jesus will not suffice: he
will not believe that it is He, unless he can put his finger
into the holes in His hands, and thrust his hand into the wound in the
Lord's side. He will believe only if his own
conditions are met. |
| 4. |
INSOLENT |
It was enough for the others to only
see His hands and feet, but Thomas was going to have to feel them. |
|
|
|
John 20:26-29
(26) And after eight days
His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus
came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace
to you!" (27) Then He said to Thomas, "Reach
your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand
here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but
believing."
(28) And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my
God!"
(29) Jesus said to him, "Thomas,
because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed."
NKJV |
|
Another week had gone by between the appearance of Jesus to the disciples
with Thomas absent, and this time when Thomas was with them.
Up until now,
they had seen Jesus on two successive "first days" of
the week.
Jesus used the very words Thomas had used a week before when he had
refused to believe.
Merely because Jesus did not APPEAR TO THEM
did not
necessarily mean that He was not WITH THEM. |
The others had acknowledged Him the Christ - the Messiah
But Thomas was first to
acknowledge Him as God.
The importance and excellence of implicit faith in the testimony of God
is thus stated by Rabbi. Tanchum:
"Rab. Simeon ben Lachesh saith, The proselyte is more beloved by the
holy blessed God than that whole crowd that stood before Mount Sinai; for
unless they had heard the thundering, and seen the flames and lightning,
the hills trembling, and the trumpets sounding, they had not received the
law. But the proselyte hath seen nothing of all this, and yet he hath come
in, devoting himself to the holy blessed God, and hath taken upon him (the
yoke of) the kingdom of heaven."
(from Adam Clarke's Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by
Biblesoft)
In the first three appearances of Christ, we can see the different
results.
| Mary |
The issue was her love for Christ.
She missed Him and wanted to take care of His body. |
| The 10 |
The issue was their hope.
All their hope was gone; they were locked in a room, huddling
together in fear! |
| Thomas |
The issue was faith
He would not believe unless he saw proof. |
Because Jesus Christ
is alive today, our faith is secure.
"And if Christ be not raised, your
faith is vain" (1 Corinthians 15:17).
We have a living hope through His
resurrection from the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:19 says, "If in this life only we
have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright (c) 1992 by SP
Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.)Romans 10:17
So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the
preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah
Himself). (AMP)
Hebrews 11:1
NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the
title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do
not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact
what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP)
2 Corinthians 4:18
Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the
things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal
(brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and
everlasting. (AMP)
And we must never forget - we are the only part of God the world
sees!
How will they believe if we do not reveal the love of God in our own
lives?
John 21:1-25
(1)
After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples
at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:
(2) Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana
in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples
were together. (3) Simon Peter said to them, "I am
going fishing."
They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out
and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught
nothing. (4) But when the morning had now come,
Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it
was Jesus. (5) Then Jesus said to them, "Children,
have you any food?"
They answered Him, "No."
(6) And He said to them, "Cast the
net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some."
So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because
of the multitude of fish.
(7) Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to
Peter, "It is the Lord!" Now when Simon Peter heard that it was
the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it),
and plunged into the sea. (8) But the other
disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from
land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.
(9) Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a
fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. (10)
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of
the fish which you have just caught."
(11) Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full
of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there
were so many, the net was not broken. (12) Jesus
said to them, "Come and eat breakfast."
Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, "Who are You?" --
knowing that it was the Lord. (13) Jesus then came
and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
(14) This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to
His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
(15) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon
Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love
Me more than these?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
(16) He said to him again a second time, "Simon,
son of Jonah, do you love Me?"
He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You."
He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
(17) He said to him the third time, "Simon,
son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because
He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?"
And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I
love You."
Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.
(18) Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger,
you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you
are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird
you and carry you where you do not wish." (19)
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.
And when He had spoken this, He said to him, "Follow
Me."
(20) Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom
Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the
supper, and said, "Lord, who is the one who betrays You?"
(21) Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what
about this man?"
(22) Jesus said to him, "If I will
that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me."
(23) Then this saying went out among the brethren that
this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that
he would not die, but, "If I will that he
remain till I come, what is that to you?"
(24) This is the disciple who testifies of these things,
and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
(25) And there are also many other things that Jesus did,
which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the
world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Amen.
NKJV |
|
The Seven
Simon Peter
Thomas called the Twin
Nathanael of Cana of Galilee
Sons of Zebedee (James and John)
Two unnamed disciples |
I am going fishing
The Lord had instructed His disciples to meet Him in Galilee, which
helps to explain why they were at the Sea of Galilee, or Sea of
Tiberias (Matt
26:32; 28:7-10 and Mark 16:7)
But John did not explain why Peter decided to go fishing, and Bible
students are not in agreement in their suggestions.
| Some claim that he was perfectly within his rights,
that he needed to pay his bills and the best way to get money was to
go fishing. Why sit around idle? Get busy! |
| Others believe that Peter had been called from that
kind of life (Luke 5:1-11) and that it was wrong for him to return
Furthermore, when he went fishing, Peter took six other men with
him! If he was wrong, they were wrong too; and it is a sad thing
when a believer leads others astray. |
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright (c) 1989 by SP
Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.)His outer garment...he had removed it
Many translations have: He was naked.
He was only in his vest. This word, "gumnos," is often used to signify the
absence of the upper garment only.
In 1 Samuel 19:24, when Saul had put
off his upper garments, he is said to have been "gumnos"
(According to the
LXX), or naked.
Two hundred cubits
A little over 100 yards (see
cubit)
The Draught of Fish
The significant differences between the circumstances of the miraculous
draught of fishes at the beginning of
the Lord's ministry (Luke 5), and of this after the Resurrection have
frequently been noted.
Augustine draws them out very well:
| |
The First Draught of Fish |
The Second Draught of Fish |
| 1. |
The symbol of the Church at
present |
The symbol of the
Church perfected |
| 2. |
Contains the good and bad |
Contains the good only |
| 3. |
Jesus also is on the water |
Jesus is on land |
| 4. |
The draught of fish
is left in the boats |
The draught of fish
is landed on the beach |
| 5. |
Nets are let down (in
general) |
The nets are let down only
on the right side |
| 6. |
The nets are breaking |
The nets are secure |
| 7. |
The boats were about to
sink |
The fish were not brought
on board, so the boat was in no danger of sinking |
| 8. |
The fish are not numbered |
The number given is 153
large fish |
Do you love me?
The two words used here for "love":
 |
agapás |
verb - the noun is |
 |
agape |
|
| |
To have love for someone or something,
based on sincere appreciation and high regard
Used to describe the attitude of God toward His Son
Used to convey His will on our attitude one toward another and
toward all
Used to express the essential nature of God |
 |
fileoo |
|
|
|
|
| |
Denotes an inclination prompted by sense
and emotion
More nearly represents "tender affection."
To have love or affection for someone or something based on
association |
| One significant clue to possible
meaningful differences in at least some contexts is the fact that
people are |
| never commanded to love one another with |
|
but only with |
. |
(from Greek-English Lexicon Based on Semantic Domain. Copyright (c)
1988 United Bible Societies, New York. Used by permission.)The happy meal ended in silence, and then Jesus addressed His weak but
fond Apostle:
1st Question
| Jesus to Peter |
"Simon... |
|
do you love me more than these?" |
Jesus uses the more dignified, really the
nobler word for love.
It could almost be translated: "Simon do you honor me?"
And, not only "do you honor me,"
(bringing back the painful memory of
Mt. 26:33: "Though all men shall be offended because
of thee, yet will I never be offended").
A perfect love, not affected by
human emotions. |
|
| Peter to Jesus |
"Lord... |
|
I love you." |
Peter's profession differs in 2 important
points from the question proposed:
| 1. |
Peter does not assume any
superiority over the others, as he does not repeat "more
than these." |
| 2. |
Peter lays claim only to the
feeling of natural love. It is a
warmer, more affectionate word -from the emotions. |
|
|
|
|
1st Reply by Jesus
| Jesus to Peter |
"Feed |
 |
my lambs" |
The word for feed being "boske,"
- to feed.
Godet says:
"There is a remarkable resemblance between the present situation and that
of the
two scenes in the previous life of Peter with which it is related.
He had
been called to the ministry by Jesus after a miraculous draught of fishes.
It is after a similar draught that the ministry is restored to him.
He had lost his office by a
denial beside a fire of coal, and in front of one of his fellow disciples.
It is beside a fire of coal and before 6 of his fellow disciples that he
recovers it." |
|
|
|
A short pause, as we must suppose, followed; and then the question was
repeated a second time.
2nd Question
| Jesus to Peter |
"Simon... |
|
do you love me?" |
| This time the thought of comparison is omitted. But
the question is pressed again. |
|
| Peter to Jesus |
"Lord... |
|
I love you." |
Peter's answer is identically the same as
before.
He still shrinks from taking to himself the loftier word. |
|
|
|
2nd Reply by Jesus
| Jesus to Peter |
"Feed |
 |
my sheep" |
This word feed is from 'poimaine'
- "TEND - be shepherd of -
my sheep."
The lambs require to be fed; the sheep
require to be guided.
The watchful care and rule to be exercised over the
mature believer sometimes calls for greater skill and tenderness than the feeding
of the young and simple. |
|
|
|
And then the third time the Savior looks intently at Peter and asks:
3rd Question
| Jesus to Peter |
"Simon... |
|
do you love me?" |
This time Jesus adopts the word Peter had
used.
Just as the idea of comparison was given up before, so now
the idea of the loftiest love is given up.
It is as if the Lord would test to the very depth the
truth of the feeling that Peter claimed. |
|
| Peter to Jesus |
"Lord... |
|
I love you." |
The three questions could not but recall
the three denials.
And the form of this last question could not but
vividly bring back the thought of the failure of
personal devotion at the moment of the trial.
So "Peter was grieved" not only that the
question was put again, but that this 3rd time
the phrase was changed.
The third time reveals it all, bringing up such a rush of dreadful
recollections before his view, of his "denying three times that he
even knew Him," that he feels it to the quick.
It was fitting that he should; it was meant that he
should.
Failure had taught him humility, and
therefore he will neither claim a pre-eminence in affection, nor adopt
the word of the Savior's question, which involved deep honor and devotion
and esteem; but will substitute for it that weaker word, which yet best
expressed the warm human affection of his heart.
But this accomplished, the painful dialogue concludes with
a delightful 3rd reply from His Lord. |
|
|
|
3rd Reply by Jesus
| Jesus to Peter |
"Feed |
|
my sheep" |
He returns here to the use of the word
"boske," feed.
The mature no less than the young require their appropriate sustenance.
Provision must be made for their support as well as
for their guidance.
And
this is the last and most difficult part of the pastor's office. |
|
|
More than these?
The word these may be in the neuter gender,
and refer to these things his boat, his fishing utensils, and
his employments.
Or it may be in the masculine, and refer to the apostles.
Regardless, the question to each of us would be the same:
Are you willing to give up your comfort and security?
Are you willing to give up your pride?
Are you willing to give up all (everything you have and
everything you are) and follow me?
My lambs - My sheep
It will be noticed that the Lord retains His own right to those who are
committed to the apostle's care.
We belong to Jesus - and the Pastor must remember that the flock is
the Lord's.
Ezekiel 34:2-10
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to
them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the
shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds
feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the
wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock.
The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who
were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was
driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and
cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there
was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when
they were scattered... and no one was seeking or searching for them.
Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD:
"As I live," says the Lord GOD, "surely because My flock became a
prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field,
because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock,
but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock" —
therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD!
Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I am against the shepherds,
and I will require My flock at their hand. (NKJV)
You will stretch out your hands
Wetstein observes that it was a custom at Rome to put the necks of those
who were to be crucified into a yoke, and to stretch out their hands and
fasten them to the end of it; and having thus led them through the city
they were carried out to be crucified.
Follow Me
The end of martyrdom having now been shown, the Lord repeated the command
given before under different circumstances; Follow Me!
What had been
impossible before the apostle's fall became possible for him now.
The command itself, as given before and after the Resurrection, has
necessarily different, though analogous, meanings.
| During the Lord's earthly life following Him
implied the abandonment of previous occupations and duties;
attendance upon Him even when He entered on strange and mysterious
paths; participation in disgrace and danger. |
| Now to "Follow Christ"
required further the perception of His course; the spiritual discernment by
which His movements can still be discovered; and yet further the readiness
to accept martyrdom as the end. |
The ancients say that Peter was crucified at Rome, about 34 years
after this, with his head downward.
Clemens says that he was led to the crucifixion with his wife, and
sustained her in her sufferings by exhorting her to remember the example
of her Lord. He also adds that he died, not as the
philosophers did, but with a firm hope of heaven, and
patiently endured the pangs of the cross (Strom. vii.).
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
Peter, turning around...saw
Immediately after Jesus said "Follow Me" Peter:
| Turned around |
Stopped following Jesus |
| Looked at his fellow disciple |
Took his eyes off Jesus |
| Asked about his fellow disciple |
Focused his attention on someone other than Jesus |
Peter was being summoned to an undeviating, faithful walk,
to set his face like flint, even as Jesus had done in view of the
approaching cross.
In verse 19 Jesus said: "Follow Me"
In verse 22 Jesus said: "You follow Me"
You can almost see Jesus pointing at Peter as saying, "My will for John
is none of your business. but as for you, you follow me."
It is remarkable that John was the last of the apostles;
that he lived to nearly the close of the first century, and then
died a peaceful death at Ephesus, being the only one, as is
supposed, of the apostles who did not suffer martyrdom.
(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
|
Matthew 28:16-20
| (16)
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the
mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. (17) When
they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. |
(18)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All
authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always,
even to the end of the age." Amen.
NKJV |
|
Mark 16:15-18
| |
(15)
And He said to them, "Go into all the
world and preach the gospel to every creature. (16)
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does
not believe will be condemned. (17) And these signs
will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out
demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) they
will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it
will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and
they will recover."
NKJV |
|
A mountain which Jesus had appointed for them
It should have been rendered "the mountain," meaning some certain
mountain which He had named to them - probably the night before He
suffered, when he said, " After I am risen, I will go before you into
Galilee" (Matthew 26:32; Mark 14:28). This is also possibly the same
place and time as I Corinthians 15:6, when "He was seen of above five
hundred brethren at once."
As to which mountain it was, opinions are divided - the Mount of the
Beatitudes, or Mount Tabor.
Baptizing them
Baptize is from "bapto" - to dip in or under (also used of dyed or
colored material).
"Baptizo" occurs in the
sense of "to immerse" from the time of Hippocrates.
Also "to sink the
ship," "to sink," "to drown," "to
perish."
The sense of "to bathe" or "to
wash" is only occasionally found in Hellenism, usually in sacral
contexts.
The idea of going under or perishing is nearer the general
usage.
In the name
"In" is "eis" - into - denoting union or communion with, as Romans 6:3, "baptized
into (eis) Christ Jesus; into His death;" i.e., we are brought
by baptism into a fellowship with His death.
Baptism has the implication
of a spiritual and mystical union with Him.
The name is not the mere designation, a sense that would give to the
baptismal formula merely the force of a charm.
The name, as in the
Lord's Prayer ("Hallowed (Holy) be thy name"), is the expression of the sum
total of the Divine Being: not His designation as God or Lord, but the
formula in which all His attributes and characteristics are summed up. The finite mind can deal with Him only through His name; but His name is
of no avail detached from His nature.
| 1. |
The Name of the Father
"I am come in my Father's name," John 5:43
(Of all the
Jehovah titles,
this was the last). |
|
| 2. |
The Name of the Son
|
| 3. |
The Name of the Holy Spirit
| "...the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in My name..." |
|
|
|
| Baptize them in the name of |
the Father |
the Son |
the Holy Spirit |
|
Matthew.28:19 |
| |
LORD |
JESUS |
CHRIST |
|
Acts 2:38;
8:16; 19:5 |
Both saying the same thing.I am with you always
The "I" is emphatic.
It is enough that I; even I am with you always -"all the days"
-i.e., till making converts, baptizing, and building them up by Christian
instruction, shall be no more.
"...behold, I am with you all the days ( perpetually, uniformly, and on
every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age."
(AMP)
This glorious commission embraces two primary departments (the
Missionary and the Pastoral) with two sublime and comprehensive
encouragements to undertake and go through with them:
| The MISSIONARY |
(Matt 28:18) |
"Go, make disciples of all nations" |
In the corresponding passage of Mark
(Mark 16:15), it is, "Go ye into all the world,
and preach the Gospel to every creature."
The only difference is:
In Mark the Sphere, in its worldwide compass and its
universality of Objects, is more fully and
definitely expressed.
While in Matthew the great Aim and certain Result is
delightfully expressed. |
|
Was all this meant to be done by the Eleven, in their lifetime? Surely
not. In that little band Jesus virtually addressed Himself to all who,
in every age, should take up from them the same work.
| 1st ENCOURAGEMENT |
(Matt 28:18) |
"All Authority in Heaven and Earth" |
| The whole power of Heaven's love and
wisdom and strength, and "all power in earth" -
power over all persons, all passions, all
principles, all movements - to bend them to this one
high object, the evangelization of the world: All
this "is given unto Me," as the risen Lord of all,
to be by Me placed at your command - "Go ye therefore." |
|
| |
| The PASTORAL |
(Matt 28:20) |
"Teach them" |
| Teach these members of
the visible Church "to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you," during the three years you have been with Me. |
|
|
| 2nd ENCOURAGEMENT |
(Matt 28:20) |
"I am with you ALWAYS" |
| Not only to perpetuity, but also
without one day's interruption, "even to the end of
the world." |
|
Another appearance of Jesus during this time is unrecorded in the
Gospels, and is known to us from a single allusion in 1
Corinthians alone 15:3-8: "For I delivered to you first of all that
which I also received: 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 that He was seen by
Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five
hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the
present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was
seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all
He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."
(NKJV)
Mark 16:19-20
| |
| (19)
So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up
into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. |
(20)
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with
them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.
NKJV |
|
Luke 24:44-53
| (44)
Then He said to them, "These are the words
which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things
must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the
Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." (45)
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend
the Scriptures. |
| (46)
Then He said to them, "Thus it is written,
and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise
from the dead the third day, (47) and that
repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name
to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And you
are witnesses of these things. |
|
(49) Behold, I send the Promise of
My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you
are endued with power from on high." |
| (50)
And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His
hands and blessed them. (51) Now it came to
pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and
carried up into heaven. |
(52)
And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great
joy, (53) and were continually in the temple
praising and blessing God. Amen.
NKJV |
|
Acts 1:4-12
| (4)
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to
depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the
Father, "which," He said, "you
have heard from Me; (5 ) for John truly baptized
with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not
many days from now." |
(6)
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying,
"Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"
(7 ) And He said to them, "It is not for
you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own
authority. |
|
(8) But you shall receive power when
the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to
Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of
the earth." |
| (9)
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was
taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. |
| (10)
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up,
behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, (11)
who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into
heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
|
(12)
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,
which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey.
NKJV |
|
John 21:25
And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they
should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even
the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would
be written. (AMP)
John 20:30-31
There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in
the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book.
But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe
that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God,
and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon
Him you may have life through (in) His name [through Who He is].
(AMP)
Throughout this study we have seen and learned many wondrous things -
but the question has been asked:
Why these stories? Why these things? What about all
those things not written?
| The reason these things
were written: |
| Luke 24:46 |
To show that it was necessary for the
Christ to suffer |
| Luke 24:46 |
To show that it was necessary for the
Christ to rise from the dead the third day |
| Luke 24:46 |
That repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. |
| John 3:17 |
That the world through Him might be
saved |
| John 12:46 |
That whoever believes in Me should not
live in darkness. |
| John 20:31 |
That we might believe - and live |
But this is not the end of the story.
The end is told in Revelations
Revelations 1:12-19 - Speaking to John on the
island Patmos
Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having
turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven
lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment
down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes
like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined
in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in
His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp
two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its
strength.
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me,
"Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He
who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am
alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades
and of Death. Write the things which you have seen."
Revelations 21:9-12
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the
seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying,
"Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and
showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven
from God, having the glory of God.
Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as
crystal.
Revelations 22:12-17
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with
Me, to give to every one according to his work.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the
First and the Last.
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the
right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into
the city.
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers
and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in
the churches.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning
Star."
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!"
And let him who hears say, "Come!"
And let him who thirsts come.
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
He who has ears to hear ... let him
hear!
(End of Lesson Twenty Five)
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