”That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.“
John 1:9 NKJV
Deceivers have always been around. They certainly were around during Bible times. Indeed, the apostle Paul labored in his spirit over the churches he had established. You see, false teachers were trying to worm their way into the flock of Jesus Christ.
The church at Corinth was apparently being subjected to false apostles; this was Paul’s instruction to them:
”For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.“
II Corinthians 11:13-15 NKJV
Oh, there it is! Satan often presents himself as being the “light.” Satan, as well as those who follow his ways of being and doing, present “new revelations,” “higher knowledge,” whatever they’re currently calling their doctrine of demons offering a better life outside of Jesus Christ.
The church of Galatia was apparently moving away from the simplicity of Christ, leading Paul to sternly warn them against this different gospel.
”I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.“
Galatians 1:6-9 NKJV
Any “new revelation” offering a better way than Christ and Him crucified, a better light than the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, is not only cursed, but brings that curse on those who follow after them.
Jesus warned that there would even be those who would stand before Him, and pretend to be of the Light. But the reality is, they are of darkness, and as such, are cast out.
”Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’“
Matthew 7:22-23 NKJV
As we see in today’s portion of John 1, only Jesus is the true Light. And praise be to God, that Light is offered to all who will follow after Him!
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
"He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.“
John 1:8 NKJV
After Jesus had been baptized by John, and had begun His public ministry, He began to attract many followers who His disciples were baptizing. Having observed this, John’s remaining disciples (we know that two of John’s former disciples were Jesus’ first two disciples) were complaining to John about the crowd Jesus was drawing. This was John’s response:
”John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.“
John 3:27-31 NKJV
You see, John was sent to witness of Christ; he was not sent to draw attention to himself. Indeed, John’s job was to point people—even his former disciples—to the true Light: the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.
We see that Jesus spoke highly of John, acknowledging that John had, indeed, born witness of Who He was.
”You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.”
John 5:33-36 NKJV
Friend, our job, our call, is to do what John did in calling people to repentance and pointing them to the King of kings. Anyone who does not point their followers to Christ, and His rule, is not a witness of Christ, but of their own self.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
”There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.“
John 1:6 NKJV
Soon after Peter had pronounced by the Spirit that Jesus was, indeed, the Christ, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain. On that mountain, they saw Jesus transfigured before their very eyes. As well, they heard a Voice speaking from heaven, confirming that Jesus was indeed, the beloved Son of God!
The realization of Who Jesus truly was, led the disciples to ask a question concerning a messianic prophecy.
”And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.“
Matthew 17:10-13 NKJV
The prophecy being questioned by the disciples, was from Malachi:
”“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, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the Lord of hosts.“
Malachi 3:1 NKJV
So, we see that Jesus confirmed that John was operating in the spirit of Elijah. Now, John the Baptizer was not Elijah, but operated in his anointing.
Indeed, John himself, affirmed that he was the prophesied “voice crying in the wilderness.”
”Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”“
John 1:22-23 NKJV
Recently, as we celebrated the birth of Jesus, we heard the story of Mary visiting her relative, Elizabeth, who had miraculously conceived a child in her old age. Now that child was a zealous baptizer, urging people to repent, preparing the way for the ministry of Jesus.
You see, the Lord not only sent his beloved Son, but also sent the one who would prepare His way, just as had been prophesied.
Remember, everyone who will yield their lives to the purposes of God, will find that they too can be part of the wonderful tapestry of God’s will.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!