Welcome to OO: NT Theology » Gleanings from the "Gospels"

Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10736 is a reply to message #10735]

Wed, 15 January 2014 06:32

Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana

Senior Member

Quote:

Matthew 3:3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’”

What a contrast from what we see today. John comes preaching Repentance, and people respond. This is a true revival taking place. They start coming from miles away to hear what this man has to say and many confessed their sins, and were Baptized.

Quote:

5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.

There was no gimmicks, no advertising campaign. Just by Word of mouth people came from miles away. Its amazing we don't see John performing miracles, healings, or doing wonders but he is crying out for men to repent of their sins.

The Bible tells us who was ruling in the government and who the High Priests were in Jerusalem at that time period. The Word of God came to this man who dwelt in the Wilderness and all men were confronted with their sin:

Quote:

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

This Herod is a different person from the one we read about earlier, he is tetrarch of Galilee where Jesus was raised as a child. This is the same man who John told it was unlawful for him to be married to Phillip his brothers wife. John the Baptist never backed down from speaking out against "sin", whether it was a government official of Rome or to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were over the temple in Jerusalem.

Quote:

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

I honestly look for the two prophets who return to the earth, to be men who speak out against all of the sin in men's lives. The difference between them and John is they will come with the power of God. John came preparing the way of the Lord for His ministry.

Today were all being told by the world and the media; everyone needs to be politically correct, let's not mention sin as it may offend someone.

John did not back down but spoke boldly in the name of the Lord. The Pharisees and Sadducees disliked John, as well as those in the world who loved their sins. The world will vehemently hate the two prophets as we see in God's Word.

Jesus said; They hated me without a cause.

[quote] John 15:23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause. [/quote}

The creature does not want to hear what the Creator has to say to him. This is sad because God only wants what is best for mankind.

Even though John preached against sin there were those who heard the call and turned to the Lord. We find ourselves in the same place today, the world does not want to hear about sin, but there are some who will listen. Jesus warned us that they will hate us as they hated Him:

[quote]9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. [/quote]

John is a good example showing us we do not have to impress anyone with a miracle ministry as many try to do today, just preach the word and the Father will draw those that He has elected to Jesus. We are preparing the way of the Lord for His soon return.

Praise His Holy Name.

Gary

[Updated on: Wed, 15 January 2014 06:35]

Report message to a moderator