Look! -John 1:29-34

John 1:29-34 ESV
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. ’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. ’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

The words John uses to identify the Son of God would have no meaning if God had not revealed Himself through Israel, but He did and so we know what is meant when John calls Jesus the Lamb of God. With the Law given, we know about sin and its ever present grip on our lives.

John says something amazing. He was in the wilderness to reveal someone, yet he did not know ahead of time who would come. Though he leapt for joy in his mother's womb at the sound of Mary's voice, Jesus had not been revealed to John as the Christ. During the course of his baptizing he finds God's Chosen One. This is the One!

The Spirit had been in the world and had touched many people before Jesus, but He had come and gone, passing among God's people, but never to stay. With Jesus it is different. The Spirit descends and remains. It is with this Spirit that Jesus will baptize. John's baptism would reveal the Christ, for repentance is necessary to see Christ and to take hold of His grace, as it is today. The Greek for "remains", μένω menō, is also translated as abide, dwell, etc. It carries the the meaning of close, intimate connection.

When John says that Jesus was before him, he is confirming that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega of creation.


The Greek behind "take away" carries the meaning of bearing, of lifting up. Jesus would indeed be lifted up and bear our sins. Doing so, He would lift the burden of sin for those who believe.

αἴρω [Attic form = ἀείρω, etym. uncertain] – 1. ‘to cause to move upward’, raise up, lift: take up a pallet Mt 9:6 ; a cross 16:24 ; 27:32 ; pick up a stone J 8:59 ; 11:41 . The 1st aor. act. impv. ἆρον 19:15 , in view of the attendant cry σταύρωσον, is prob. to be understood as hoist (him), namely on a cross. Lift/draw up skiff Ac 27:17 (MCED)


Isaiah 53:7-8
He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away;
And as for His generation, who considered
That He was cut off out of the land of the living
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?

Revelation 5:6-10
And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty- four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they *sang a new song, saying,
“ Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”

Isaiah 53:11-12
As a result of the anguish of His soul,
He will see it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One,
My Servant, will justify the many,
As He will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong;
Because He poured out Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.

Hebrews 9:28
so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Psalms 2:7-8
“I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

Why Then? -John 1:24-28

John 1:24-28 ESV
Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Why did John baptize? His mission was getting the people ready for the one to come. Baptism was an act of repentance, signifying a turning and leaving behind the old life, and a readiness for the salvation of God. In Acts we see instances of baptism taking place before and after the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is Jesus Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, Who sends the comforter and provides the living water which washes the heart clean. John's baptism is like circumcision. It is an outward sign of an inward reality. It is the circumcision of the heart and the seal of the Holy Spirit that counts. That seal and circumcision only come through the grace of Jesus. When we repent and accept Christ, we then rest in His love and grace. Jesus said at the beginning of His ministry, "Repent and believe!"

This differs from the ceremonial washing performed by the Jews. This was the sign of a new covenant that was inclusive of all that would accept His name.

Mark 1:4-8
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Prism

Each man is a unique prism of the light of God, a construct of light and color only possible in the life of that one. The tapestry God is weaving has yet to be revealed, but what a revelation that will be.

We, like the stars in the night sky, will shine in the place that is ours alone, yet we will never be alone.

Who Are You? -John 1:19-23

John 1:19-23 ESV
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”



The Jews could hear this voice crying in the wilderness, but they could not make out what John was saying. A contingent of priests and Levites were sent from the city find out what is going on. They step out of the city and there meet a man sent from God. God calls them out of that city, out of their ordinary lives and all the distractions that tend to distort and cause us to forget the word of God.

They ask the question, "Who are you?". He is different and unexpected. John freely admits and confirms who he is not. He does not tell them his name, but his purpose. He confirms a prophesy uttered by Isaiah long ago. He is the voice in the wilderness that cries out the words of God given to him long ago. The message is the main thing. The Lord is coming.

This one man is delivering the word to Israel that Israel should have delivered to the world. They were chosen as a people to God to reveal the glory of The Lord. They fell short in this endeavor through disobedience. John announces the coming of one that would accomplish and fulfill God's purpose.


ὁμολογέω homologeō 26x to speak in accordance, adopt the same terms of language; to engage, promise, Mt. 14:7 ; to admit, avow frankly, Jn. 1:20 ; Acts 24:14 ; to confess, 1 Jn. 1:9 ; to profess, confess, Jn. 9:22 ; 12,42 ; Acts 23:8 ; to avouch, declare openly and solemnly, Mt. 7:23 ; in NT ὁμολογεῖν ἐν, to accord belief, Mt. 10:32 ; Lk. 12:8 ; to accord approbation, Lk. 12:8 ; from the Hebrew, to accord praise, Heb. 13:15 [3670] See acknowledge ; confess ; promise . (MCED)

Acts 13:25
And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie. ’

Acts 19:4
And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”

Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Became Flesh -John 1:14-18

John 1:14-18 ESV
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 ( John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me. ’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.


The Word of creation, the very breath of the living God became flesh, just like you and me. What an astounding thought, unbelievable in every way, but true. He came where we are, in the middle of our world and circumstance to claim us for His own.

Though He took on our flesh, He did so in a way that was unique. He was not flawed from birth by disobedience. He was without sin because He was born of God. He entered the water of mankind through His mother Mary, fathered by the Spirit of the Father above, to show us the way to God. He calls us to follow.

We are made in His image and the only creature in which He Himself would come to dwell. We are destined to be the living stones of the City of God, the New Jerusalem. He will dwell among us in His full glory and we will behold Him in our full glory.

The law was a grace of one kind, which turned our attention to God and revealed the distance between where we are and His presence. It is the grace of this law which prepared us for the grace and truth of the only Son, Jesus Christ. He came to fulfill the law and to set us free. Through him salvation is complete.


No one has seen the Father except the Son. We will only be able to behold Him when we are like Him. This is beyond us in our present condition, and why the Son had to empty Himself in order to take on our likeness. The Son has returned to the Father with special recognition and status as the head of creation. They are together in that mystery of fellowship of which we partake and share in the Spirit and the body of Christ. It is personal and inclusive in the Spirit.

While we cannot see God in His full glory, we can approach Him as He approached us, in love. We are told "God is love". When we love each other, we are loving Him. Our God is the expression of life and love is the language of this life. We are conforming to His image the more we love.

We might be reminded of John's special relationship with Jesus. He was known as the beloved disciple and had his head at the breast of Jesus at the last supper. We have a similar relationship with God if we have His Spirit in our hearts. Our hearts beat within our breast with His life poured out upon us, and love is perfected.


κόλπος,ου,ὁ [etym. complex] – 1. ‘front of the (human) chest’, chest, bosom, breast, in NT always in ref. to special social recognition and status through personal contact (CGEL)

κόλπος,-ου+ N2M 11-7-5-17-1-41 Gn 16:5; Ex 4:6 (ter).7 arms, bosom, breast Gn 16:5; id. (denoting physical closeness of a woman to a man) Dt 13:7; id. (denoting tender physical closeness of a man to a woman) Dt 28:56; id. (of a nursing woman) (LEH)


Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

1 Corinthians 15:47-49
The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

1 Timothy 3:16
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.

Romans 5:20-21
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 4:8-12
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

To Bear Witness -John 1:6-13

John 1:6-13
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.



The first witness of Christ comes into view. This is the one foretold that would announce the coming and arrival of The Lord. He would speak in our wilderness of that light that would soon break forth onto the world.

His own people would not receive Him, but God made a people into the children of God. This rebellious house gave birth to the Savior of the world. Through them, God's will prevailed. The children of the promise are made manifest. The will and understanding of man is confounded by the wisdom of God.

Receiving God is defined here for us. It is believing in His name, that is believing God. It is ingesting all that God is, in eating the bread of life, and drinking the living water. Receiving Christ is the same thing as receiving God. It is this one that is able to leave the darkness behind and step into the light. It is this one that receives a new name.

We are reminded in Isaiah 49 that Israel will embrace that light and will witness to the ends of the earth. This will happen at last times when the remnant of Israel is sealed with the Holy Spirit. The sealing of the 144,000 speaks to this. Israel will at last witness to the nations and many will be saved.

The light is for all people, but many will hide in the shadow.



Isaiah 40:3-5
A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Malachi 3:1
1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Luke 1:15-17
for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Isaiah 49:6
he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

1 John 2:8-9
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

1 John 5:20-21
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 Timothy 2:3-4
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 10:40
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.

Romans 9:6-8
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

Isaiah 56:5
I will give in my house and within my walls
a monument and a name
better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.

In The Beginning -John 1:1-5

John 1:1-5 ESV
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.


John starts his Gospel linking it with the beginning of creation. In these four verses, John gives us a concise description concerning the divinity of this man Jesus and explains how He is the light in and of creation. Not only is He the light of the world, it is through Him and for Him the world is made. This light has entered this dark world and has prevailed over the darkness. The Spirit of God hovered above the waters prior to the light being introduced, just as the Holy Spirit hovered over Mary. The world starts to take form and order emerges under this light. The bright and morning star rises to His place in heaven.

The Gospel gives an account of that victory and a witness to that life that brought life into the dominion of death. That victory will be confirmed when Christ returns, just as we are told the word of The Lord will not return void. John speaks of his own experience, of his personal interaction with the Son of God, and his witness of the glory of The Lord. This is the beloved disciple, the one whose head rested on the bosom of Christ.




Revelation 19:13
He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

2 Peter 1:16-18
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Who We Are

Galatians 3:16 ESV
Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

Galatians 3:26-29
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Galatians 4:28-31
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” 31 So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Galatians 4:25-26
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

Galatians 6:15-16
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.


The present Jerusalem is likened to the slave woman. The Jerusalem from above is free and where life is. The Law enslaves and makes sin abound all the more by revealing our helplessness. Jesus ushers us into the kingdom above by our rebirth through the Spirit. We are free as promised.

This is the new race, the new man, the next step, and the only step to life. We reach our highest potential in Christ. We are neither this or that, but who we are.

Perchance

We occupy a slice
Of time and space
Perchance to find
Love and grace
Welcome to
The human race
May the light of God
Shine on your face

Seventh Day -Genesis 2:1-3

Genesis 2:1-3 ESV
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

Genesis 2:1-3 LXX
και συνετελεσθησαν ο ουρανοσ και η γη και πασ ο κοσμοσ αυτων 2 και συνετελεσεν ο θεοσ εν τη ημερα τη εκτη τα εργα αυτου α εποιησεν και κατεπαυσεν τη ημερα τη εβδομη απο παντων των εργων αυτου ων εποιησεν 3 και ηυλογησεν ο θεοσ την ημεραν την εβδομην και ηγιασεν αυτην οτι εν αυτη κατεπαυσεν απο παντων των εργων αυτου ων ηρξατο ο θεοσ ποιησαι

On the seventh day heaven and earth were completed. Then we are told God was finished with His work and rested. This day He blessed and made it Holy. The only way for something to be holy is for God to be present. He entered that day and invites us into His rest. That day is eternity and it will be very, very good.

In the end a New Jerusalem will descend to the earth and it will be the Bride of Christ. She will be joined by God and they will be one, for God is one. The nations will come to give glory and honor to God. God's will is done. Creation is complete. So it was spoken and so it will come to pass.


συντελέω synteleō 6x pr. to bring to an end altogether; to finish, end, Lk. 4:13 ; to consummate, Rom. 9:28 ; to ratify a covenant, Heb. 8:8 ; pass. to be terminated, Lk. 4:2 ; Acts 21:27 ; to be fully realized, Mk. 13:4 * [4931] MCED



Isaiah 44:24-26
24 “This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord,
the Maker of all things,
who stretches out the heavens,
who spreads out the earth by myself,
25 who foils the signs of false prophets
and makes fools of diviners,
who overthrows the learning of the wise
and turns it into nonsense,
26 who carries out the words of his servants
and fulfills the predictions of his messengers,
who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited,’
of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’
and of their ruins, ‘I will restore them,’

Isaiah 45:18-25
For this is what the Lord says—
he who created the heavens,
he is God;
he who fashioned and made the earth,
he founded it;
he did not create it to be empty,
but formed it to be inhabited —
he says:
“I am the Lord,
and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret,
from somewhere in a land of darkness;
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,
‘Seek me in vain. ’
I, the Lord, speak the truth;
I declare what is right.
20 “Gather together and come;
assemble, you fugitives from the nations.
Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood,
who pray to gods that cannot save.
21 Declare what is to be, present it—
let them take counsel together.
Who foretold this long ago,
who declared it from the distant past?
Was it not I, the Lord?j
And there is no God apart from me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none but me.
22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
24 They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone
are deliverance and strength. ’”
All who have raged against him
will come to him and be put to shame.
25 But all the descendants of Israel
will find deliverance in the Lord
and will make their boast in him.

Sixth Day -Genesis 1:24-31

Genesis 1:24-31 ESV
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.


Genesis 1:24-31 LXX
και ειπεν ο θεοσ εξαγαγετω η γη ψυχην ζωσαν κατα γενοσ τετραποδα και ερπετα και θηρια τησ γησ κατα γενοσ και εγενετο ουτωσ 25 και εποιησεν ο θεοσ τα θηρια τησ γησ κατα γενοσ και τα κτηνη κατα γενοσ και παντα τα ερπετα τησ γησ κατα γενοσ αυτων και ειδεν ο θεοσ οτι καλα 26 και ειπεν ο θεοσ ποιησωμεν ανθρωπον κατ εικονα ημετεραν και καθ ομοιωσιν και αρχετωσαν των ιχθυων τησ θαλασσησ και των πετεινων του ουρανου και των κτηνων και πασησ τησ γησ και παντων των ερπετων των ερποντων επι τησ γησ 27 και εποιησεν ο θεοσ τον ανθρωπον κατ εικονα θεου εποιησεν αυτον αρσεν και θηλυ εποιησεν αυτουσ 28 και ηυλογησεν αυτουσ ο θεοσ λεγων αυξανεσθε και πληθυνεσθε και πληρωσατε την γην και κατακυριευσατε αυτησ και αρχετε των ιχθυων τησ θαλασσησ και των πετεινων του ουρανου και παντων των κτηνων και πασησ τησ γησ και παντων των ερπετων των ερποντων επι τησ γησ 29 και ειπεν ο θεοσ ιδου δεδωκα υμιν παν χορτον σποριμον σπειρον σπερμα ο εστιν επανω πασησ τησ γησ και παν ξυλον ο εχει εν εαυτω καρπον σπερματοσ σποριμου υμιν εσται εισ βρωσιν 30 και πασι τοισ θηριοισ τησ γησ και πασι τοισ πετεινοισ του ουρανου και παντι ερπετω τω ερποντι επι τησ γησ ο εχει εν εαυτω ψυχην ζωησ παντα χορτον χλωρον εισ βρωσιν και εγενετο ουτωσ 31 και ειδεν ο θεοσ τα παντα οσα εποιησεν και ιδου καλα λιαν και εγενετο εσπερα και εγενετο πρωι ημερα εκτη


The final day of fashioning creation is focused on the earth. Living creatures are brought forth to populate and fill the earth. They are diverse and are "according to its kind".

Then God makes a creature of another kind, of mankind. This creature is patterned after His own image, and given dominion over the earth, to rule and to care for it. Notice this time God says, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness". The creative power and intent differs from the rest of creation as God begins to finish His work with a crowning touch.

Man was different from the other creatures in that he was made for fellowship with God. Later we will see God breathe His life into the nostrils of the first Adam. This man would be different from other creatures, even from other men outside the Garden, for the life of God would be in this man. The first Adam would fall in disobedience, but a second Adam would appear and will subdue the earth, succeeding in bringing the world to God. Just as Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit onto His disciples, we who follow after Him receive that same Spirit of life, and become fruitful, in ourselves and giving witness to others and glory to God.

God makes a distinction as to what will serve as food. For man, all plants and fruits that contain seed shall be food. The other creatures are given green plants. Later, seed will be used to refer to Jesus as the seed of Abraham and the word of God.

Jesus promised those who would follow Him and endure to the end would rule with Him in His throne. Jesus is called the second Adam. We are transforming into His image and will be like Him at the day of resurrection. Just as Jesus became the word Incarnate, we become visible in God's presence as the Spirit dwells in us. We are the visible manifestation of God in this world, for God is truly with us. We will know, even as we are known.


εἰκών eikōn 23x a material image, likeness, effigy, (MCED)

At the end of this day it is very good, for it was finished.

The Greek word (εὐλογέω eulogeō 41x pr. to speak well of, in NT to bless, ascribe praise and glorification, Lk. 1:64 ; to bless, invoke a blessing upon, Mt. 5:44 ; to bless, confer a favor or blessing upon, Eph. 1:3 ; Heb. 6:14 MCED) is used in the Septuagint for blessed. This word may remind us of our word eulogy, giving final words at the occasion of one's passing.

The Greek word (πληρόω+ V 15-21-18-27-31-112 Gn 1:22 , 28; 9:1 , 7; 25:24 A: to fill [τι] Gn 1:22; to fulfill, to perform LEH) appears in the Septuagint for "fill", and has the additional meaning of fulfill. In this word we have a hint of God's purpose and man's role in creation.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Fifth Day -Genesis 1:20-23

Genesis 1:20-23 ESV
And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

Genesis 1:20-23 LXX
και ειπεν ο θεοσ εξαγαγετω τα υδατα ερπετα ψυχων ζωσων και πετεινα πετομενα επι τησ γησ κατα το στερεωμα του ουρανου και εγενετο ουτωσ 21 και εποιησεν ο θεοσ τα κητη τα μεγαλα και πασαν ψυχην ζωων ερπετων α εξηγαγεν τα υδατα κατα γενη αυτων και παν πετεινον πτερωτον κατα γενοσ και ειδεν ο θεοσ οτι καλα 22 και ηυλογησεν αυτα ο θεοσ λεγων αυξανεσθε και πληθυνεσθε και πληρωσατε τα υδατα εν ταισ θαλασσαισ και τα πετεινα πληθυνεσθωσαν επι τησ γησ 23 και εγενετο εσπερα και εγενετο πρωι ημερα πεμπτη



God turns His attention from the dry land and brings forth living creatures to fill the sky and the seas. In the Septuagint, the Greek for the creatures in the sea is defined as reptile, a creeping animal. As the night preceded day, living creatures in the sky and sea appear before creatures of the earth.
They receive a similar blessing to the one later given to Adam and Eve, the difference being Adam and Eve were charged with subduing the earth. In both cases they are to be fruitful and fill the earth. Our charge as followers of Christ is to be fruitful and multiply, in numbers and from glory to glory, to reach the full measure of of our Lord. Jesus and His Bride will succeed where Adam and Eve failed.

The sea and everything in it was good when created, but one day a devious creature entered the world causing mayhem and death. In Isaiah 27 we see reference to that beast of rebellion. There the twisting serpent is found in the sea, just as the dragon is present in the world, in the waters of man. Satan left for a while after Jesus resisted him in the wilderness. Jesus will return as the King of Kings for the final battle with our adversary. He will be thrown out of the world like he was cast out of heaven, though this time to his final destruction. The sea will be no more. Creation will be better than before, for nothing unclean will enter the New Jerusalem.

[2260] ἑρπετόν herpeton 4x a creeping animal, a reptile, Acts 10:12 ; 11,6 ; Rom. 1:23 ; Jas. 3:7 * MCED



Isaiah 27:1
1 In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Ezekiel 36:11
And I will multiply on you man and beast, and they shall multiply and be fruitful. And I will cause you to be inhabited as in your former times, and will do more good to you than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Fourth Day -Genesis 1:14-19

Genesis 1:14-19 ESV
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

Genesis 1:14-19
και ειπεν ο θεοσ γενηθητωσαν φωστηρεσ εν τω στερεωματι του ουρανου εισ φαυσιν τησ γησ του διαχωριζειν ανα μεσον τησ ημερασ και ανα μεσον τησ νυκτοσ και εστωσαν εισ σημεια και εισ καιρουσ και εισ ημερασ και εισ ενιαυτουσ 15 και εστωσαν εισ φαυσιν εν τω στερεωματι του ουρανου ωστε φαινειν επι τησ γησ και εγενετο ουτωσ 16 και εποιησεν ο θεοσ τουσ δυο φωστηρασ τουσ μεγαλουσ τον φωστηρα τον μεγαν εισ αρχασ τησ ημερασ και τον φωστηρα τον ελασσω εισ αρχασ τησ νυκτοσ και τουσ αστερασ 17 και εθετο αυτουσ ο θεοσ εν τω στερεωματι του ουρανου ωστε φαινειν επι τησ γησ 18 και αρχειν τησ ημερασ και τησ νυκτοσ και διαχωριζειν ανα μεσον του φωτοσ και ανα μεσον του σκοτουσ και ειδεν ο θεοσ οτι καλον 19 και εγενετο εσπερα και εγενετο πρωι ημερα τεταρτη

The Greek word γενηθητωσαν means God is speaking creation into existence from nothing but the creative intent and will of our creator. It contains the ideas of being born and of creation.

The Hebrew word, h0559. אמר amar; a prim. root; to utter, say:--, from which the ESV translates as "And God said, 'Let there be'", confirms our understanding of existence being due to the Word of God. It is by His word and through His word that the world was made. It is that same word that took on our flesh and entered our midst. That same word has spoken a new word of creation. It has begun in the hearts of new creatures born of the Spirit and who look and long for the consummation of the promise. He Who has begun to reign in our hearts will return to finalize and accomplish His reign on earth.

The heavens, or sky, is adorned with lights, both for the night and day. In verse 16 the lights are said to "rule" their respective times in the ESV. The LXX uses the Greek αρχασ and contains the idea of being first, of headship and preeminence. The greater light is given to the day. The stars fill the sky, only come into view when the night comes.

The earth receives light day and night. It is for signs and seasons, for the keeping of time and days.



Joel 2:30-32
“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Matthew 2:1-3
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

Matthew 24:29-30
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Luke 21:25-28
25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Revelation 6:12-14
When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Deuteronomy 4:19-20
And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. 20 But the Lord has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of his own inheritance, as you are this day.

Job 31:26-28
if I have looked at the sun when it shone,
or the moon moving in splendor,
27 and my heart has been secretly enticed,
and my mouth has kissed my hand,
28 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges,
for I would have been false to God above.

Psalms 74:16-17
Yours is the day, yours also the night;
you have established the heavenly lights and the sun.
17 You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth;
you have made summer and winter.

Revelation 21:23-27
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Third Day -Genesis 1:9-13

Genesis 1:9-13 NASB
Then God said, “ Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

Genesis 1:9-13 LXX
και ειπεν ο θεοσ συναχθητω το υδωρ το υποκατω του ουρανου εισ συναγωγην μιαν και οφθητω η ξηρα και εγενετο ουτωσ και συνηχθη το υδωρ το υποκατω του ουρανου εισ τασ συναγωγασ αυτων και ωφθη η ξηρα 10 και εκαλεσεν ο θεοσ την ξηραν γην και τα συστηματα των υδατων εκαλεσεν θαλασσασ και ειδεν ο θεοσ οτι καλον 11 και ειπεν ο θεοσ βλαστησατω η γη βοτανην χορτου σπειρον σπερμα κατα γενοσ και καθ ομοιοτητα και ξυλον καρπιμον ποιουν καρπον ου το σπερμα αυτου εν αυτω κατα γενοσ επι τησ γησ και εγενετο ουτωσ 12 και εξηνεγκεν η γη βοτανην χορτου σπειρον σπερμα κατα γενοσ και καθ ομοιοτητα και ξυλον καρπιμον ποιουν καρπον ου το σπερμα αυτου εν αυτω κατα γενοσ επι τησ γησ και ειδεν ο θεοσ οτι καλον 13 και εγενετο εσπερα και εγενετο πρωι ημερα τριτη


Now the separating continues. The waters under the sky are gathered in one place and dry land appears. One might see a foreshadowing here of the creation of man. From the waters (mankind) comes the the dry land, or earth. From the dust of that earth Adam is created. The harvest is ready for gathering at the last day when it has matured and dried in the field. The breath of God is the source of creation in both instances.

There are two types of seed presented. The first is vegetation and the second is fruit trees. In the Garden of Eden we encounter the forbidden fruit as a disobedient hand reaches out to pluck it from that tree. God will reverse that outcome by placing His own Son on a cursed tree so that we are able to eat from the tree of life. The seed of life has been sown in this earth, this dust of mankind, and will prosper according to God's will. Some plants will wither and fade, but some will become trees fed by the river of life, yielding fruit according to the season.

God looked on His work and was pleased with what He saw. From Him comes all good things. He is the ultimate word as to what is good and will judge all things before His throne. He was the word of the beginning and will have the last word in the end.

Psalms 1:3-4
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Psalms 95:5
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.

Jeremiah 5:22
Do you not fear me? declares the Lord.
Do you not tremble before me?
I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea,
a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass;
though the waves toss, they cannot prevail;
though they roar, they cannot pass over it.

Satan will stand on the sand beside the sea and call to the beast to rise from the waters.

Revelation 10:5-7
And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, 7 but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.

Jeremiah 17:8-10
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations.

Isaiah 55:10-11
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

The word,which is the seed, produces the bread of life. Eat and live. So shall His will be done.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Galatians 6:7-10
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Mark 4:28-29
The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

In Progress

God no longer occupies a temple in Jerusalem, but dwells in the new temple of His church, which is still under construction. Each believer added is another stone in the coming New Jerusalem.
It is and we are a work in progress.

Second Day -Genesis 1:6-8

Genesis 1:6-8 ESV
And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

Genesis 1:6-8 LXX
και ειπεν ο θεοσ γενηθητω στερεωμα εν μεσω του υδατοσ και εστω διαχωριζον ανα μεσον υδατοσ και υδατοσ και εγενετο ουτωσ 7 και εποιησεν ο θεοσ το στερεωμα και διεχωρισεν ο θεοσ ανα μεσον του υδατοσ ο ην υποκατω του στερεωματοσ και ανα μεσον του υδατοσ του επανω του στερεωματοσ 8 και εκαλεσεν ο θεοσ το στερεωμα ουρανον και ειδεν ο θεοσ οτι καλον και εγενετο εσπερα και εγενετο πρωι ημερα δευτερα

The word "expanse" in this translation is based on the Hebrew word:
h7549. רקיע raqia; from 7554 ; an extended surface, expanse:-- expanse(16), expanse of heaven(1). Strong.
Other translations variously translate it as firmament, sky, and even vault.

The Septuagint uses the Greek word στερεωμα, which means firmness.
στερέωμα,ατος,τό [στερεόω] firmness Col 2:5. CGEL

God is bringing form and shape to creation. Now that there is light, we see order begin to appear. It takes place at the middle or center of the waters. He is about to divide creation again, this time separating the waters. From the waters below, earth will emerge.

It is helpful to remember that this is written from the perspective of man on earth, in the language of an earlier time. That said, it's truth remains. From the sky overhead comes the rain and causes the water on earth to be replenished. There is a secondary meaning that might be applied, using waters to signify those that populate heaven and earth. Just as God will draw boundaries between the sea and earth, He does so between heaven and earth. This echoes the boundary between light and darkness.

In the Job and Proverbs verses below we are told He draws a circle on the face of the deep waters. This speaks of His sovereignty and majesty.
It is His word that brings this about and will endure.



Jeremiah 51:15-16
“It is he who made the earth by his power,
who established the world by his wisdom,
and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.
16 When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens,
and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Psalms 148:4-6
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!
For he commanded and they were created.
6 And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Job 26:8-11
He binds up the waters in his thick clouds,
and the cloud is not split open under them.
9 He covers the face of the full moon
and spreads over it his cloud.
10 He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters
at the boundary between light and darkness.
11 The pillars of heaven tremble
and are astounded at his rebuke.


Proverbs 8:27-31
When he established the heavens, I was there;
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,
29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
31 rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.

The First Day. -Genesis 1:1-5

Genesis 1:1-5 ESV
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Genesis 1:1-5 LXX
εν αρχη εποιησεν ο θεοσ τον ουρανον και την γην 2 η δε γη ην αορατοσ και ακατασκευαστοσ και σκοτοσ επανω τησ αβυσσου και πνευμα θεου επεφερετο επανω του υδατοσ 3 και ειπεν ο θεοσ γενηθητω φωσ και εγενετο φωσ 4 και ειδεν ο θεοσ το φωσ οτι καλον και διεχωρισεν ο θεοσ ανα μεσον του φωτοσ και ανα μεσον του σκοτουσ 5 και εκαλεσεν ο θεοσ το φωσ ημεραν και το σκοτοσ εκαλεσεν νυκτα και εγενετο εσπερα και εγενετο πρωι ημερα μια

It would seem that heaven and earth were created at the same time, at the beginning of time. Earth is the focus of the Bible, for the Bible is for us, though God's wisdom and glory will revealed to heaven and earth by the church brought forth by the Word of God. The story of creation is told using the framework of seven days, the number which implies perfection. It has become the template for our measurement of time we call a week. Then the days start over, which can remind us that this earth is passing away.

The earth comes into existence, but without form. The Greek word ακατασκευαστοσ, translated here as void, also carries the idea of "not ready". Darkness is present and is over the "face" of the deep. The Septuagint uses the Greek αβυσσου or abyss for deep, which is typically used to mean the bottomless pit, the home of demons. It is the place of darkness. Later we are introduced to the prince of darkness.

The waters come into view and we are told that the Spirit of God hovers, or moves over the "face" of the waters. We are told later by Jesus that one must be born of water and Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. The Greek word ἐπεφέρετο, translated here as "hover" carries an additional sense of judgement.

God begins to give order to creation. He brings forth light. Unlike the darkness, He calls the light good. He names them night and day. Again we see darkness precede the light. Through night and day, time is shown to have started and the first day is complete. The distinction of what is good and what is not begins.

Hovering

ἐπιφέρω [ἐπί, φέρω] – 1.bring on,inflict Ro 3:5 . – 2.attach, add Phil 1:16 f v.l. – 3.pronounce in a judicial sense Ac 25:18 v.l.; Jd 9 CGEL

ἐπιφέρω+ V 3-7-1-3-3-17 Gn 1:2; 7:18; 37:22; 1 Sm 22:17; 24:7 A: to bring, to put, to lay upon [τί τινι] Gn 37:22; to give [τί τινι] Jdt 8:8 ; P: to rush (upon) or (after) [ἐπάνω τινός] Gn 1:2; to be borne (on) [ἐπάνω τινός] Gn 7:18; to attack, to assault [τινι] 2 Mc 12:35; * Jb 15:12 LEH



2 Peter 3:5-7
For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Ephesians 3:9-12
and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Colossians 1:16-20
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Cain Was Very Angry

Genesis 4:3-7 NIV
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Why did God approve of Abel's sacrifice and not of Cain's. God is already teaching us the need for shedding of blood for our sin. Though death had entered the world through disobedience, God was pointing the way back to the way of life, preparing us for the sacrifice of His Son.
In this passage we see God appeal to Cain to do the right thing. Cain knows, but refuses to do so. He goes even further in his opposition of God by spilling the blood of his brother. He is cursed as a restless wanderer and travels east, there to remain in Satan's grip.
It foreshadows these latter days as the descendants of Cain seek to destroy Israel.

Locust

From God's War On Terror - Islam, Prophecy and the Bible (Walid Shoebat)
Loc 5707-10 (Kindle)

Edwards comments about the Locusts are rooted in the fact that in ancient history, Arabs were associated with locusts. Even the Hebrew words for "locust" and "Arab" are almost identical. In many verses in the Bible, locusts ( Arabs) come against the house of Israel for battle. The Arab word for locust is Gindib. The Monolith of Shalmeneser III from Kurkuk, the oldest account from Babylon and the oldest document mentioning Arabs, lists Gi-in-di-bu Ar-ba-a-a regarding Arabs and their territory called "Gindibu."35

But Their Heart

Mark 7:6-7 ESV
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
“‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. ’

Being close or far matters less of where our bodies are found , but how our hearts are found. He knows where we are in either case.

A Far Country

Luke 15:13 NIV
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

This our journey
Far away from God
Captive to our senses
Until we come to our senses
We find He meets us when on the way back
He is waiting
To rejoice
A son and daughter
With a new robe
A new name
A honored place
From a humble place
Sit here my son

Come -Revelation 22:16-21

Revelation 22:16-21
“ I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Jesus returns as King and Priest. The two offices are no longer divided. The bright star has risen on a dark world. The darkness was not able to overcome the light and it disappears with the prince of darkness. The light has spread from the heart into the world, the same path by which sin came into the world.
After listening to God and partaking of His Spirit, we wait with joy and expectation for His return. He will bring salvation with Him. He is the Yes to all God has promised.
Come!


Zechariah 6:12-13
Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two. ’

Numbers 24:17-18
“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth.
18 Edom will be conquered;
Seir, his enemy, will be conquered,
but Israel will grow strong.

2 Peter 1:19-21
We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.l

Isaiah 12:3-4
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.

Romans 3:24-26
and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Hebrews 9:28 NIV
so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Filled Twelve John 6:12-13

John 6:12-13 NIV
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

When Jesus fed the crowd, He also fed the disciples. Nothing was wasted. The disciples learned more about the power of God. He continued to feed and teach them in word and deed, bringing the bread of life into the world. The disciples filled the twelve baskets with leftover barley loaf, even as their hearts had been filled by the miracle just witnessed.

Will Not Finish Before

Matthew 10:21-23 NIV
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Jesus was speaking to His disciples about witnessing to Israel. He is sending them out on a mission which stretches into the end of the age. The task will not be complete before the Son of Man returns. The time of the Gentiles will come to an end, and a remnant of Israel will be saved. Persecution and hardship have been bourn by this people who rebelled against God. Instead of being the first people to receive grace and share it with the world, they will instead receive grace at the last.
The first shall be last, and the last will be first, but we will all stand in that same grace.

Do Not Seal Up -Revelation 22:10-15

Revelation 22:10-15 ESV
10 And he *said to me, “ Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

Time continues for now, but it will run out at a day known only by the Father. There are some who are being saved, who have accepted the gift of grace and believe the word of God and the testimony of Christ Jesus. There are many who refuse that word. The patient forbearance of God has gone another day, but this book tells us of a day coming that will be the last day. It will be a day of woe for the rebellious, but a day of joy and eternal life for those who have washed their robes in the blood of Christ and will thus stand in the presence of The Lord.

Isaiah 8:16-18
Bind up this testimony of warning
and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples.
17 I will wait for the Lord,
who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob.
I will put my trust in him.
18 Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.

The words are no longer bound, or sealed. Revelation has unfolded with the opening of the scroll. We who believe wait for the people of Jacob to call out to God and join us in the body of Christ. The mercy and grace that came through Israel will be returned to Israel. The tree of life will be whole and complete.

Matthew 10:27-28
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Darkness gives way to the light. Those that see the light and hear the word are to give witness to that light. Fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom and that light forever shines.

1 John 3:21-24
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

John 14:6-7
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

Must Soon Take Place -Revelation 22:6-9

Revelation 22:6-9 ESV
And he said to me, “ These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond- servants the things which must soon take place.
7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 But he *said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”

We have another confirmation in verse six that God and Jesus are one. Jesus is the one Who bears the titles faithful and true. He is the God of the prophets and Lord of Lords. God's message came at various times and through different individuals, but it was the same God they heard and it was for the same purpose they raised their voice. They knew they were not only serving God, but those that would come believing in those words.

God gave the Revelation to Jesus, Who sent it by an angel. There is no greater reason to give heed to the message of this book. Jesus is coming back to finalize the kingdom. Here we have been given a preview of things to come and confirmation that the will of the Father will come to pass. Salvation is at hand and so is judgement. We are reminded the day draws near.
John falls to his knees before the messenger, this proclaiming angel who quickly tells John to rise. He is a fellow servant and brother in The Lord. There is only one we are to worship and it is The Lord. He alone is worthy.

Romans 1:2-6
which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 1:10-12
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

2 Thessalonians 1:5-12
5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:8-10
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

A Cross

Philippians 2:8
8  And being found in appearance as a man,
  he humbled himself
  by becoming obedient to death—
   even death on a cross!

     We are able to stand before God in new life because of this gift of sacrifice by our Lord. He became like us that we might become like Him.  He models life that leads to life.  It is when we put God first and obey His word that we are found in appearance as a child of God.  We are able to share this gift in the Holy Spirit and with others.  We are becoming obedient to life -even to life in the presence of God.
     Christ learned obedience so that we might learn obedience.    He hung on a cross that we would be able to cross over into His kingdom.

The River And Tree -Revelation 22:1-5

Revelation 22:1-5 ESV
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.


We see here a single throne in the middle of this city. Upon it sit God and the Lamb, for they are one. From this throne flows the river of life, which waters the tree of life, which yields the fruit of life for every season. The nations of the earth find healing in its leaves.
Those who have taken His name will see His face and they will like Him, sons and daughters. They will be as light as He is the light and there shall be no end.



Psalms 36:8-9
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.

Psalms 46:4-5
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.

Ezekiel 47:7-12
As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. 8 And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. 9 And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. 10 Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 12 And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

John 7:38-39
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. ’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Ezekiel 37:27-28
My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.”

John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

John 17:24-26
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Isaiah 60:19
The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.

Daniel 7:27
And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him. ’

Tuning In

We don't see the signals that reach our radio, yet it receives them and converts the signal when tuned properly. So it is with the Holy Spirit. Just because you're not tuned in doesn't mean it's not there. 

By Its Light -Revelation 21:22-27

Revelation 21:22-27 ESV
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The temple of old has served its purpose and is no longer needed. A structure of approach is useless for God is already present with His people. There is no distance between the two.
The city itself becomes the temple, God's dwelling place. The light of God still finds expression in the Lamb. That light will not only light the city with God's glory, but will shine forth on the nations. They have been cleansed and walk by that light. They are of the earth, but bring their glory and honor through gates that always remain open.
The purpose of Eden is realized. God's presence is once again on earth and His children walk in His light. Adam and Eve were commanded to be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth. The second Adam fulfilled that command.



John 4:21-24
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Isaiah 60:19
The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60:3
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Isaiah 60:11-12
Your gates shall be open continually;
day and night they shall not be shut,
that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations,
with their kings led in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom
that will not serve you shall perish;
those nations shall be utterly laid waste.

Isaiah 52:1-2
1 Awake, awake,
put on your strength, O Zion;
put on your beautiful garments,
O Jerusalem, the holy city;
for there shall no more come into you
the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Shake yourself from the dust and arise;
be seated, O Jerusalem;
loose the bonds from your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion.

John 10:30
I and the Father are one.”

Joel 3:17
17 “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God,
who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.
And Jerusalem shall be holy,
and strangers shall never again pass through it.

The Bride,The Wife -Revelation 21:9-21

Revelation 21:9-21
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “ Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal- clear jasper. 12 It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 And he measured its wall, seventy- two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. 18 The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.


The new Jerusalem descends from heaven, coming to rest on a high and mighty mountain, like the ark coming to rest at last on a mountain as the flood water receded to reveal a new and refreshed earth.
The city reflects the glory of God. It is described in terms of precious stones and gold, the best and most desirable elements of earth, refined through the fire of the old creation.
Once again, the number twelve appears. The foundation stands on the twelve tribes of Israel. The twelve gates speak of the Apostles and their gospel of mercy leading to God. The number represents the idea of fullness and completeness. The four living creatures of His throne now give way to this Holy City. Its four sided wall has three gates on each side, a number associated with the divine, as in the Trinity.
The city is in the shape of a cube, which was the shape of the Holy of Holies in the temple, the dwelling place of God.
The gold rod used to measure the city confirms this is to be God's dwelling place. It is built according to His word and specifications. It is according to His measure that leads to His presence.
The streets of gold are as smooth and transparent as the sea of glass before the throne in heaven.





Revelation 21:22-27
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.




John 4:21-24
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Isaiah 60:19
The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60:3
And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.

Isaiah 60:11-12
Your gates shall be open continually;
day and night they shall not be shut,
that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations,
with their kings led in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom
that will not serve you shall perish;
those nations shall be utterly laid waste.

Isaiah 52:1-2
1 Awake, awake,
put on your strength, O Zion;
put on your beautiful garments,
O Jerusalem, the holy city;
for there shall no more come into you
the uncircumcised and the unclean.
2 Shake yourself from the dust and arise;
be seated, O Jerusalem;
loose the bonds from your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion.

John 10:30
I and the Father are one.”

Joel 3:17
17 “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God,
who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.
And Jerusalem shall be holy,
and strangers shall never again pass through it.

Letting Go

Holding on to what you've got makes sense until you learn the freedom of letting go. 

He Gave Them Permission -Mark 5:5-13

Mark 5:5-13 NASB
Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

Jesus asked the demon's name. They knew Who stood before them: Son of the Most High God.

This reminds me of Satan being thrown out of heaven. In both cases one might wonder why God would allow Satan and his followers to be thrown down to earth, or why Jesus would allow the demons to enter the swine and then rush to the sea.

The sea often represents man in the Bible. God has a reason to allow Satan to come into our midst. Jesus repeated that action when He allowed the demons to enter the unclean swine. Each enter the sea of man, into this fallen creation. The battle for our hearts and souls takes on an increased intensity. The heat of the furnace of the refining fire of life grows hotter and the stakes never higher.

He gave them permission. It is for His purpose and our salvation.

It Is Done -Revelation 21:5-8

Revelation 21:5-8 ESV
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

"It is done". The word is spoken and creation unfolds. The end is in view before the beginning. Truly The Lord is the Alpha and Omega. In Genesis He finished creation and rested on the seventh day. Later Jesus would tell us that the Sabbath was made for man, which is our rest and peace with God as we fellowship with Him.
From the cross He uttered these words making possible our rest with God, our salvation given at the cost of His own blood. A final "It is done" is heard after the seventh bowl is poured. The time is at hand for the final scene.
A new creation emerges and God rests from His work. Our Sabbath is achieved and His purpose is realized. The spring of life flows forth from God, quenching all thirst and is everlasting. It waters all the earth.

Isaiah 55:1
1 “Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

John 7:37-38
Rivers of Living Water
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. ’”

1 John 5:4-5
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 Peter 1:4-5
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Isaiah 42:9
Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”

Stretch Out Your Hand

Mark 3:1-6 ESV
1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

The withered hand of this man could signify the effect of God' Law on the nation of Israel. The Law itself was good, but it had been ill used and misapplied until it withered the spiritual intent of the Law. They ask the question, "Is it lawful?", yet they do not know what the law is about.

When asked by Jesus whether it is lawful to do good or save, they do not respond. They are unable to see life in the law, only death. Jesus came to fulfill the law, to accomplish what the Law could not accomplish due to the weakness of man.

Jesus can heal us. All we have to do is stretch out our hand to Him.

New Heaven And New Earth -Revelation 21:1-4

Revelation 21:1-4 ESV
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

A new heaven and earth appear before us. From the presence of God descends the new Jerusalem. God is not left behind. He will dwell with man. Jesus has delivered the church, which is the Bride. He returns to the full relationship with man that He intended from the beginning.
We are adorned with His righteousness and have been prepared by the presence of the Holy Spirit.


Isaiah 65:17-18
17 “For behold, I create new heavens
and a new earth,
and the former things shall not be remembered
or come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in that which I create;
for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy,
and her people to be a gladness.

Isaiah 66:22-23
“For as the new heavens and the new earth
that I make
shall remain before me, says the Lord,
so shall your offspring and your name remain.
23 From new moon to new moon,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,
all flesh shall come to worship before me,
declares the Lord.

2 Peter 3:13
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Hebrews 12:22-24
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Galatians 4:25-26
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

Zechariah 13:9
And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God. ’”

Genesis 17:4-8
“Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”

Zechariah 8:8
and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”

1 John 2:17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.