“Before Abraham Was”

Acts 20:28  “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Acts 20:29  “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”

These two verses appear right next to each other, but I listed them separately as two needful truths are contained in them.  They were spoken by the apostle Paul as he was addressing the Ephesian elders for the final time in person.  In the first, the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ is established.  The very next passage talks about grievous wolves entering into the midst of the saints who would seek to contradict this.  These would bring about heretical teachings and end up preaching another Jesus instead of the one who is God manifest in the flesh.  Every false doctrine; whether it has a christain sounding facade or not, goes about denying that Jesus is who the bible declares that he is.  (John 14:9) They go about trying to present a “less than from everlasting” Jesus; a deception that’s been, in effect, going on ever since the rebellion. 

It all started with a thought.  A thought which led to an attitude of pride and became so hateful that it led to the rebellion in heaven.  All of the turmoil, heartache, suffering and travail of this realm is the result of a single thought.  Lucifer, who was, at the time, one of the most beautiful “created” beings, became full of himself and desired to be above his own Creator.  He set in motion, a plan to establish his throne above God, who has no beginning and is perfect in every way.  He convinced a third of the angels, who were also created by God, to abandon their first estate and partake of this rebellion.  He was, in effect, preaching another Jesus; suggesting that God was less than all-powerful and could be overthrown.  Lucifer was cast out of heaven, along with those who alligned themselves with him, and he’s has been speaking lies ever since. 

Today, in 2008, the devil is still fathering lies; many of which resemble truth just enough to lure away those who aren’t grounded.  (His deceptions will always pander, in some fashion, to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life)  I would sincerely ask any to not simply follow a doctrine and what others say, but to seriously check things out.  Each of us must prayerfully search the scriptures in sincerety as each of us must stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  A daily prayer for me is that if I’m proclaiming error in any form, that the Lord will reveal it to me.  (Jeremiah 33:3, John 5:39, John 14:26, Acts 17:11, Philippians 3:15, I Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:1-8, James 1:5-7, Revelation 22:13)  One cannot adequately express how serious it is that we not simply follow men, but to sincerely seek truth and understanding which can only come from the Lord.  

Luke 24:45  “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.”

I apolagize for the flurry of scriptural references, but this is imperative.  We are one hundred percent dependant upon the Lord Jesus for understanding.  Just as he explained to Peter that his understanding didn’t come about by his own ability, revelation comes from God and will line up with the scriptural record that he has maintained throughout the ages. 

John 1:1-4  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

John 1:14  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

The testimony of Jesus Christ; not as just a good teacher or a prophet, but as the Son of God.  Perfect and Holy, an equal part of the Godhead.  When he walked the earth, he turned the religious establishment upside down by proclaiming “Before Abraham was, I am.”  He is perfect in every way and well acquainted with our grief.  He was tempted in all points as we are and yet without sin.  When he went to the cross and shed his innocent bloood, he tasted death for every man; that whosoever would believe on him should have everlasting life.  Three days later, he arose from the dead and is alive forever more.  His return is drawing ever closer and every eye shall behold him. 

Revelation 12:11  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Revelation 19:10  “And I fell at his feet to worship him.  And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

As christians, born of the Spirit, we have the testiony of Jesus Christ who washed away our sins with his own precious blood and has gone to prepare a place for us; that we may abide with him forever.  This testimony will be challenged by a world that’s growing increasingly darker and we must hold fast the profession of our faith unto the end.  When all of the physical evidence would suggest that we’re nutty, we must know that greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.  We should be aware of the fact that the days ahead will be filled with such convincing falsehoods that if it were possible, the very elect would be deceived.  Jesus warned us of false Christs and false prophets which will show great signs and wonders as to draw people away from the truth that can make them free. 

John 8:36  “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” 

When we are in Christ, we are made free.  The true Jesus; the only begotten Son of God can take the most contrary person and make them a new creation.  Victory over the weak and beggarly elements of this world and living water springing up from within.  True life that doesn’t require favorable ambient conditions or an abundance of atoms in order to be enjoyed.  The joy of the Lord is, quite honestly, “out of this world” and only the Jesus of the bible can offer it. 

Well, I’ll close this out for now as I have to get some things done around here.  I pray that all of us would draw closer to the Lord Jesus who purchased us with his blood and with whom we shall abide throughout the eons to come; world without end.  There are so many things that I wanted to touch on here, however, I’m already past 1160 words.  (According to the little counter that sits to the left of the “save and continue editing” button.)  So until the next time, I wish to all a blessed day in Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Councellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”