Christmas Future

Today on Fellowship in the Word pastor Bill Gebhart challenges you to become a fully functioning follower of Jesus Christ and then notice the last word in verse eight he is the Almighty state that term only refers to this Old Testament it only refers to God the Lord God Almighty effect. Only one other time in another revelation of Jesus Christ is the Almighty, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the Alpha and Omega NEC all mighty joining us today on this additional Fellowship in the Word pastor will be a part Fellowship in the Words the radio ministry of Fellowship Bible church located in Metairie, Louisiana going pastoral governor now is once again he shows us how God's word meets our world. In 1843 S. Dickens wrote a Christmas And it was extremely successful in England, but he would've had no idea the kind of success that a Christmas Carol Hollywood is May 23 movies entitled the Christmas Carol.

There have been countless other movies, Scrooge and all those kind of movies made since then. Ebenezer Scrooge is essential to every Christmas season for virtually all of us.

The story line is, as you know he is visited by three ghosts of Christmas past Christmas present and then Christmas yet to come, or what we would call Christmas future today I want to talk about something that we usually don't we experience Christmas present. Right now we are and we always talk about in church Christmas past, and so there's always some sermon or some message about Bethlehem and about a baby shepherds, Angels, wisemen, what I can do that.

What I want to talk about his Christmas yet to come.

I want to talk about Christmas future.

If you think about it the in his first coming. His glory was veiled. I love what Wesley wrote Wesley wrote these words veiled in flash the Godhead see hail the incarnate deity's glory was veiled, but in Christmas future humanity is veiled in his glory for all to see. The first time became a star marked his arrival the next time he comes, the stars will fall from heaven. The first time they gave him gifts.

The next time he comes he gives gifts to men. The first time there was no room for him at the end and the next time. His glory will fill the earth the first time, very few people saw is coming, but the next time. Every eye will see the first time he came as a helpless baby and the next time he comes as the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. The first time is marked by his humility. The next time is marked by his awesome splendor. The first time we sang away in a manger, but the next time you sing the hallelujah chorus open your Bibles to Revelation chapter 1 and verse 12. I want you to think about it. In light of thinking of a baby in Bethlehem look at the contrast in Christmas future versus Christmas past. Verse 12 then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned around I saw seven golden lampstands in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet and girded across his chest with a golden sash in his head and his hair were white like white wool, like snow in his eyes like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it been made to glow in a furnace in his voice.

Was the sound of many waters. In his right hand on the whole the seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword in his face was like the sun shining in its strength.

Quite a difference in the baby in a manger Christmas future.

Go with me now to Revelation 12 and verse five there is war on earth and in this verse. This what John writes and she gave birth to a son, a male child, who was to rule all the nations with a rod of iron and her child was caught up to God and to his throne. She gave birth to a male child. I don't think this is Mary. I think this is Israel. The reason is in the next verse says then the woman fled into the wilderness, which would've been Israel. That's the only bursa deals with birth at all the questionnaires in Christmas future. What is he like we know what a baby is like, but what is he like in Christmas future and that's what I want to look at go with me back now to Revelation chapter 1 where we were in verse five it says and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and released us from our sins by his blood, the first thing we see in Christmas future is he is called the faithful witness.

He speaks accurately and truthfully he gives perfect testimony about God.

If you want to know something about any subject, just as Jesus Christ just read what Jesus Christ said if you want to know about God. Listen to the words of Jesus, you are no Batman listen to the words of Jesus. If you want to know about sin and righteousness and salvation and judgment, heaven and hell listen to the words of Jesus. He is the faithful witness. He said this himself. He said in John 18 three. For this reason I was born. I have come into the world to testify to the truth. That's why I came.

He said that's what I'm doing with me over chapter 3 for a moment. Chapter 3 in verse 14 to the angel of the church in Laodicea write the amen the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God says once again you see the same idea he is called the amen you hear that often we say it, you probably have save yourself when you went to prayer. Amen simply mean so be it is the Soviet of God is the amen of God. God says that when I'm done talking. I say amen I see him. He is the amen. He is the faithful and true witness back in Revelation 1. He also says now is the faithful and true witness, but the writer of the book of Revelation says he's the firstborn of the dead, but he wasn't me going first Kings is a resurrection of the dead to go second or two resurrections of the dead is a resurrection of the dead Matthew. This one looked on 11 is a resurrection of the dead was a mean is the firstborn worst proto-pockets. That's the Greek word, it doesn't mean first in chronological order.

Proto-talkers means the unique one, the preeminent one. It's a matter of rank, not chronology. He has the highest rank of all those from the dead and the reason is because he was raising the dead.

We can be raising the dead. That's the point that he is saying.

Using Jesus Christ is the firstborn from the dead. I love what Psalm 89 says David writes I shall also make in my firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

That's a matter of rank. That's what he is saying. He's not only a faithful witness in the firstborn of the dead, but we also see something else up on the verse eight of chapter 1 I am the Alpha and the Omega 24 letters in the Greek alphabet. But we save it. I may and I'm see remains is and I'm everything in between. There is no word can be forceps, not part of me. I am a missing. I know all things.

That's what you're saying I am the Alpha and he says not only that I am the Alpha and I am the Omega. He said I am the one to notice what the next phrases he said I am the one who is and was and who is the, the uniqueness again of Jesus Christ. Unlike anybody else John MacArthur writes this, he said he is the one eternal self existent transcendent one completely un-influenced control over space and time, energy and matter over time and over eternity as well. He is above and beyond, he is outside and away from all that he is ever made. We are seeing that this child in a manger is something more when he is unveiled he is the one who always speaks the truth is God's heir, he is the ruler over every ruler of the world. He is the source of all truth. Everything that is knowable. He knows he is eternal above and beyond all that is temporal and physical. That's who he is.

He is the faithful witness is the firstborn of the dead is the Alpha and Omega and then notice the last word in verse eight he is the Almighty one statement that term only refers to this Old Testament it only refers to God the Old Testament. The Lord God Almighty effect.

Only one other time the entire New Testament other than the book of Revelation is that whatever used as Jesus Christ. He is the Almighty, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the Alpha and Omega and use the all mighty. He says astounding, which is he would Jesus Christ I control life and I control death that would Jesus Christ delegate chapter 1 verse 17 John responds these things he has seen him. He knows who is in John's responses.

This when I saw him, I fell at his feet as a dead man is it's one thing to see Jesus Christ in a manger is another thing to see a guy hanging on a cross and suffering is another thing to see Jesus Christ in his glory for exactly who he really is.

He said I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and he said do not be afraid. I am the first to last, the living one. I was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore.

He said I have the keys of death and Hades and astounding thing when you think about who he is and what he has accomplished. He says therefore write these things which you have seen in the things which are the things which are to take place after these things.

As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars of the Angels. He said of the seven churches in the seven lampstands are the seven churches is not only the faithful witness in the firstborn of the dead in the Alpha and Omega in the Almighty. He said I've always held the church in my hand. The churches in my hand. I hold the church and I hold its leaders. The word angel is not talking about a heavenly angel, but an earthly messenger, and he says I hold them all in the context of my hand. I make the decisions. He said I decide he is always empowering and interceding and purifying and speaking and protecting his church.

That's why told Peter he said I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it to Jesus Christ is delegate chapter 3 of the book of Revelation. In verse seven and the angel of the church of Philadelphia right this he who is holy, he who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut and shuts and no one will open one statement.

These religious words, when we read religious words. Often we just read him and leave him. He says here he is holy. There's no mistakes he makes not. There are no mistakes, everything he does is absolutely true. He decides he's the son of David man is the son of God. God he is, and that since the God man what you think about that from a practical point of view. If you wanted to be saved who to ask. Is he going to go to answer how does a person have eternal life. See, I think that that's Jesus Christ, the faithful and true witness, I am the way the truth and the life.

No one will come to the father but through me is holy, he doesn't like it's true. You see, that's the statement that's in Jesus Christ is. He says I have the keys of David.

I love and he said I open a door and let the people in.

I shut the door and no one comes. Those are the words of Jesus Christ. He is holy noticed on verse 14 it says to the end of the church in Laodicea write the amen the faithful and true witness, the beginning of creation of God. Now then you might want to say will maybe that would be yet. He's the first one created after the Colts would say that they don't really understand that that's the work.

RK, that doesn't mean he's the first one created means is the source you see in other words, NRK means he's the source the ideas of Jesus Christ as the source of creation. That's what John one says that the Colossians 1 says all things are created by him and for him, and by him all things hold together the ideas that he's the source of all creation.

The beginning of creation. NRK is not done chapter 5 verse five, and one of the elders said to me stop leaving behold the lion that is from the tribe of Judah is the lion of the tribe of Judah. In Genesis 48 Israel is blessing is truly blessed Judah and he says the scepter will never depart from you.

You'll always be there in June is always first in battle Judah and Benjamin are the fighting tribes. They're the ones who do the war Jesus called the lion of Judah. This chapter 5 is an amazing thing when you see the context of it when you start again in verse one. I saw my right hand of him who sat on the throne. He said a book written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals normally only write one side and then you roll it up and then along the edge where it the top edge of it is on the role you put seals on it.

Usually one sometimes two and rarely three and never 747 but this is written on one side. This is written on both sides. You may wonder what the world is this will in the context when you see it is the title deed of the universe. It's only everything that's what the seals are is a title deed. That's what this is a notice what ends up happening. I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the book and to break it seals who can do this and no one in heaven on on on earth or under the earth was able to open the book and can do it and I began to weep greatly because no one he said was found worthy to open the book and look into and one of the older said to me, stop weeping, behold, the lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals and he said I saw between the throne with the four living creatures. The elders of the Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are seven spirits and God sent them out into the earth, and he came, he took the book out of my right hand of him who sat on the throne and when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp of golden bowls of full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints, and they sing a new song worthy are you to take the book in the break, it seals the gun. Verse 12 worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive the power and the wisdom of the might neon her verse 13. To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever. The four living creatures kept saying amen and the elders fell down and worshiped. What is seen. This is in the scene is because he is able to do what no one else can. That's the point of this whole story. Jesus Christ is able to accomplish what no one can know what having no one on earth. That's what you're saying. That's what Jesus Christ was able to do.

He also said by the way these not only of the tribe line of the tribe of Judah, but he also says he's the root of David amazing is the offspring of David, how can you be David's root. That's what David said my my son and my Lord Jesus Christ is both the one who brought David about in Jesus Christ as the heir of David is the son of God and he is the Son of Man.

When a different view of the second Christmas with me now to Revelation 19 and the actual Christmas morning a future Christmas verse 11 and I saw heaven opened, behold a white horse and he was set on what is called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and he wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire in his head are many diagrams and he has a name written on him which no one knows except himself.

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood in his name is called the word of God and the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, following him on white horses from his mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it may strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron and he treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God the Almighty and on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, king of kings and Lord of lords notices no donkey there's no cold. This is the invincible warrior king is on a generals white horse the diagrams the crowns the jewels are on his head. He is the word of God. There was no one like him is an astounding thing.

He summarizes that section and said it is the king of kings and the Lord of lords. If you think about Jesus Christ is the faithful witness is the firstborn of the dead is the opening Omega is the Almighty.

He holds the seven stars and the seven lampstands in his hand is holy, is the beginning of creation is the lion of Judah is the root of David. He rides a white horse called Craig and he is faithful and true, and he is the King of Kings and the Lord of lords.

That's Christmas future, but I did mention something by far the most important thing that is defined in chapter 5 verse six again and it says and I saw between the throne.

The four living creatures. The elders there is for the first time in the book a lamp standing, as if slain lamb, the one you don't expect to find your but knowing you find it 28 times between here and into the of the book is the Lamb is a Lamb in every single scenario. In other words, all the other things I said about him. None of them would be true if these not the Lamb because that's the most important thing by a mile. Notice when they sing in verse nine worthy are you to take the book in the break, it seals verse 12 worthy is the Lamb worthy is the Lamb who was slain, he says that's what the Lamb was able to do that was what the Lamb was able to accomplish verse one of chapter 6 then I saw the Lamb break one of the seven seals in it as you go on the book at the Lamb breaks each and every one of the seals go to chapter 7 in verses nine and 10 and after these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could come from every nation, all the tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes.

Palm branches were in his hands.

They cried out with a loud voice, saying, salvation to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.

The Lamb becomes absolutely paramount. Everything is being said here in chapter 8 verse one he breaks the last seal.

The Lamb broke the seventh and the final seal in chapter 12.

Go with me to chapter 12 verse 10 then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of God and the authority of his Christ of, for the accuser of our brethren has been found on here. You accuses them before God day and night and they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb.

That's what ended up happening chapter 13 in verse eight.

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name is not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

Chapter 14 verse one and I looked, and behold the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion.

That's what we see with the Lamb.

Verse four.

So these are the ones were not been defiled with a woman of Themselves.

These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes and they have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God, the Lamb is never seems to stop. Chapter 15 verse three and they sing a song of Moses the bondservant of God and the song of the Lamb a just keep saying it. Chapter 19 verse seven let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to him for the marriage of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready. That BS it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean and the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. He said to me right lesson are those who invited the marriage supper.

He says of the Lamb.

The great wedding of the Lamb. But it's the Lamb again. Chapter 21 in verse nine. Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke to me and said this. Come here and I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

Verse 22 of the same chapter. I saw no temple in it. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

You keep seeing this over and over and over again in the city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it for the glory of God's almonds it in it he said in the lamp is the Lamb is the Lamb again. New have a new earth. Chapter 22. Then he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and the Lamb in the middle of the street on either side of the river was a tree of life, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month and the leaves of the tree with the healing of the nations and there was no longer any curse in the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it in his bond servants will serve him and the eternal state.

New have a new work over and over and over again.

He says on the Lamb. It comes full circle to see it. Mary had a Little Lamb that's what happened in Bethel and were never to forget that not ever. I believe for all eternity. We will always look at him as the Lamb remember what John the Baptist said, behold the Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world to that's Christmas future. That's what's going to happen in the next Christmas.

He's the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the Alpha and Omega the Almighty, the one who holds the lampstands one holds the stars. He is holy, is the beginning of creation is the line of duty is the root of David. He rides a white horse and he is the King of Kings and Lord of lords. But more important than all of those is the Lamb of God who died for you and for me that we need to think that Jesus Christ accomplished is an astounding thing. You always bear the marks of a sacrifice forever because he reminds the reminders how much… That he was willing to die whenever great Christmas like a lamb in your life. Let them be part of it see of all the great things that Jesus Christ is in your myriads of those.

Nothing is important and I will help trust and faith in him in every lesson that pastor broke your radio ministry of fellowship Lord, if you ever missed one of our broadcast or maybe you just like the message one more time. Remember the good or great website called one place.com that's one place.com and you can listen the fellowship and the word online event website you will find on today's broadcast but also many of her previous audio programs as well have Fellowship in the Word.

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