GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 395 November 16, 2011
THEMES, MOTIFS AND PROPHECIES
"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow," James 1:17.
"From cover to cover" and "lid to lid" are phrases we love to us when expressing our total belief in God's word. There has never been doubt. Every word written; every topic, every theme, motif and prophecy are inspired by the LORD ALMIGHTY. While, the Word can be difficult to understand, by God's grace, faith will get us to the needed meaning.
Thus, it is extremely important to realize that, what God started, He certainly will finish. There isn't any change. Although, many false prophets are around, man's input is insignificant. One reason for trust is the words of Jesus: "Heaven and earth will pass away but My words shall not pass away," Matthew 24:35.
In fact, the Bible clearly states that God's plan was fixed "Before the foundation of the world" (laying down the earth). Since, the plan is finished before the earth was created, the possibility for change is nil, zero, nada!
False prophets don't like it, but God said that He will maintain the plan forever. When it comes to God's predestinated plan, the LORD is constant and unbending. So, if a prophet comes after the 1st Century, he is false. Remember 2nd Timothy 3:16, always. "All Scripture is given by inspiration by God..."
Thus, the LORD Almighty gives His Themes, Motifs and prophecies in order to keep His people on the "straight and narrow" that Jesus taught in Matthew 7:13 and 14.
Of course, everyone has their favorite study places. One may enjoy studying the nation of Israel. People love to read of the lineage going from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The nation of Israel is vividly clear within God's promises in this study.
Concerning these promises made to Abraham, we learn that Jesus was born from his lineage and confirms the promise. Jesus was Jewish. Galatians 3:16 clearly states that the promise, however, was not to the many within the nation but, "'...to your Seed', that is Christ." Christ has all God's promises; for, He is the Promised One. Trust Him, and Him, alone.
When it comes to study the teachings of Jesus, we realize that the Son of God is the end of all promises. If we are going to claim the promises made, we learn about them through Abraham but, we look to Jesus because He fulfilled what was promised.
And, there are many promises in the Word that trills us. My love for Christ's shedding His blood on Calvary lowers my though of myself. It is so humbling that I know that I can do nothing but trust in the work that Jesus accomplished for me. Of course, the blood was a continual picture within the Old Testament. Hebrews 9:22 references this fact with: "Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins."
Then, there's the Kingdom study, the most clear teaching about our calling in the Bible. To me, this study places believers within the kingdom when Jesus returns; but, as Matthew 7:21b records, not all shall inherit the kingdom; "...but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."
The kingdom is set up when Jesus returns, right here on the earth. Don't think you'll fly around in the air; for, God has a physical kingdom that Jesus shall rule. To be saved by Christ's blood means that we are called to His service, as well. So, study the kingdom and your spiritual eyes will be enlightened.
I also love to study the church and the places within the Kingdom. But, in all the studies, one thing is clear: the themes, motifs and prophecies always match. What was promised occurred or, it will, at the Second Coming.
"Before the foundation of the Word" (1st Pet. 1:20) expresses that the Almighty attached Himself to His plan before any creation happened.
Further, the LORD attached mankind to the plan (to God, Himself) by having Jesus die in their place. To be truly blesses, read carefully, Ephesians 2:10. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
WHAT A PLAN!!!