Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
The Creator of the ends of the earth!
He will not grow tired or weary,
And His understanding no one can fathom!
Isaiah 40:28
As they were making their way to Emmaus, Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:25-27).
All the prophets testify about the Lord: Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name (Acts 10:48:3). This message of salvation has been sent to us. However, the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets (Acts 13:26-27).
Yes, concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to us, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted His sufferings and the glories that would follow (1 Peter 1:10-11).
For they heard gloriously astounding words from God’s Spirit to share with His people: “I will visit you and perform My good Word toward you and cause you to return. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope!
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, and I will bring you back from your captivity (Jeremiah 29:10-14 NKJV).
Yes, God has introduced a better hope, by which we draw near to Him (Hebrews 7:19), by making us alive with Christ! In His great mercy God gives us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
So, let no one deceive you with empty words, godless chatter, because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who refuse to heed His Word. Do not be partners with them (Ephesians 5:6-7). Instead, be co-laborers, partners with God’s Word giving yourself to Him by standing against the devil (James 4:7a ERV) and his schemes.
For fights and arguments come from selfish desires that make war inside us. People want things, but don’t get them, so they kill and are jealous of others. They don’t get what they want because they don’t ask God. Or when they ask, they don’t receive because their motivations are wrong. They want to use God’s goodness for their own pleasure.
Unfaithful people! Friends with this evil world! Enemies of God! (James 4:1-4 ERV). And Jesus walked among these people who thought themselves wise because they knew God, and others who were unwise for they were very careless in how they lived.
People who stepped forward to seize the Lord and arrest Him. One of the Lord’s companions drew his sword and cut off the high priest’s ear. But Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him saying, “Do you think I cannot call on My Father and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the prophets be fulfilled that said it must happen this way?” Matthew 26:50-54.
God revealed to those same prophets they were not serving themselves but us. For these things would not occur during their lifetime, but long years later during ours. And now at last this Good News has been plainly announced to us all. It is preached to us in the power of the same heaven-sent Holy Spirit Who spoke to them. And it is all so strange and wonderful that even the legions of angels in heaven would give a great deal to know more about it (1 Peter 1:12 TLB).
Yes, the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all! And the Spirit of Grace teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2:11-12). Therefore, we need to prepare our mind for action – to be self-controlled – setting our hope on the grace given to us when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:13).
By God’s grace we are justified, so we might become heirs having this hope for eternal life (Titus 3:7). This is what God has told us: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (1 John 5:11), Who says, “I am the Vine! You are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and God’s Word in them shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. Those who separate themselves from Me are thrown away like a useless branch that withers and is gathered into a pile to be burned.”
“However, those who stay in Me and heed God’s Word may ask any request and it will be granted! My true disciples will produce bountiful harvests, and this brings great glory to My Father.”
“Know and be assured, I love you even as the Father loves Me. Live within My love. When you obey Me, God’s Word, you are living in My love, just I obey My Father and live in His love. I tell you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, so your cup of joy will overflow! (John 15:5-11 TLB).
So, call to Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV), for without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), Who desires to give you an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade! An inheritance kept in heaven for you!
An inheritance received through faith, which is shielded by God’s power until the coming of the hope we are given. Though we do not see the Lord now, we believe in Him are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, for we are receiving the goal of our faith – the salvation of our souls. And God’s salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:4-5,8-9).
I write this to those who believe in the Son of God so you will know that you have eternal life now! We can come to God with no doubts (1 John 5:13-14 ERV). That you would be encouraged to be bold for God’s glory, and gently instruct those who oppose the Truth.
Perhaps something would grab their attention, spark their interest so Holy Spirit can begin to change their heart, and they will learn the Truth. So they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. So understanding dawns, they have been held captive to the evil one to do whatever he wants (2 Timothy 2:25-26 TLB).
This knowledge of the Truth leads to godliness. And it is quite true the way to live a godly life is not an easy matter; but the answer lies in Christ: Jesus came to earth in a human body! Was proved spotless and pure by the invisible Spirit! Was seen and served by angels! He was proclaimed among all kinds of people! Believed and accepted by them all over the world! And was received up again to His glory in heaven (1 Timothy 3:16 TLB).
This faith given to us by God rests on the knowledge of hope for eternal life. Hope that was promised for us before the beginning of time, and God does not lie. At His appointed season He brought His Word of Truth to light through the preaching of the Gospel (Titus 1:1-3).
Christ is a faithful Son over God’s house.
And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage,
And the hope of which we boast!
Hebrews 3:6