Gen.3:6 ~JOHN THE BAPTIST- Forerunner of Jesus Christ ~ 11-30-13
~Genesis begins with a perfect creation and a paradise in the Garden of Eden, all went well for a length of time that only God knows, we all know the story, how Satan working through the serpent beguiled Eve even as Adam was there with her.
>Gen. 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, (flesh) and that it was pleasant to the eyes, (eyes) and a tree to be desired to make one wise, (pride of life) she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. -- The three avenues of sin cover any and all ways to sin.
>1st. John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
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~ So Gen. begins with a perfect creation, but the last verse in the O.T. ends with "a curse." -- All because of sin.-- it was not because of all the many sins that Adam may have sinned during his life time, it was because of Adams original sin, the sin of disobedience. -- Found in --
>Gen. 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
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>Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
6And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
~The Elijah prophecy is yet to find a second fulfillment, which will take place in the future, possibly in one of the two witnesses of Rev. 11. - Moses and Elijah.
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* John was a type of Elijah, but was not Elijah.
>John 1:19-21 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?
20And he confessed, and denied not; (he admitted the truth, and did not try to conceal it)
but confessed, I am not the Christ.
21And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
* The Jews knew the scripture to do with a Prophet to come.
>Deut.18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; (Moses talking) unto him ye shall hearken;
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>John 3:28-29 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. Notice, John was sent, God sent John.
29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.
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~John's father Zechariah was a priest, so that means he was a Levite, this makes John a Levite, also Zechariahs wife, Elizabeth was of the daughters of Aaron, " a Levite" Gabriel comes to Zachariah in the temple as he was going about duties, his job, his lot, his course. -- Certain time of the year.
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~Lets remember that no recorded revelation from God had been given to men for over four hundred years, Malachi was the last one; so naturally, Zechariah was afraid and stunned.
~ The content of Gabriel's message was twofold. (1) Elisabeth was to bear a son and name him John. (2) John would have the spirit and power of Elijah and was to prepare the way for the Messiah.
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>Luke 1:13-17 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (Named before he was born)
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There are seven people that we read of in the Bible that God gave them their names before birth, ~ and God had plans for all 7.
Ishmael- Gen. 16:11~ Isaac- Gen. 17:19--Abraham was the father of both--
~ Solomon was the third child that God gave a name for before his birth.- 1 Chronicles 22:9 ~ Josiah named about 300 years before born- 1 Kings 13:2~Cyrus "a gentile, Persian" named 173 years before born-Isaiah 45:1--7~~~ then after 400 years, John the Baptist, John means "God is gracious' Luke 1:13~ And last but certainly not least, JESUS our Savior- Luke 1:30-33.
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~The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, who was suddenly shaken with fear, and told him that his prayer had been answered. ---
~ ("Gabriel" means--God is great) -- he is always the messenger angel.
All appearances of Gabriel recorded in the Bible are connected with the promise about the coming of the Messiah. Gabriel is mentioned at least 5 times in the bible.
* Gabriel is always the messenger angel:
Daniel 8:16: Gabriel is sent to Daniel to help him understand his vision.
Daniel 9:21: In this passage Daniel recognizes Gabriel from his encounter in Daniel 8:
~Then over 500 years later Gabriel was sent from God to tell Mary she would be the mother of Jesus.
~Gabriel is the angel talking with Joseph, Mary's husband.
~Gabriel is sent to Zachariah to tell him and his elderly wife, Elizabeth, they will be the parents of John the Baptist.
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The term "archangel" appears in the bible once. In Jude9 the archangel named is Michael-- (who is like God?) he is guardian over the destinies of the nation of Israel when he is directed to do so.
>Daniel 12:1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: --- the Tribulation time.
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~Zechariah's prayer could have been either his long-standing request for a son, or his general petitions for the coming of the Messiah, or both, be that as it may, both would be shortly answered.
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~ 4 other ladies of the Old Testament that we know of was barren for a time; Sarah, Rebecca, Manoah's wife, and Hannah.
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ƒÞ Gabriel still talking to Zechariah--
Verse14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, (Jesus will speak highly of John.) and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
>Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
~John was to be a Nazarite; one of the things the Nazarite vowed was that he would not drink strong drink or wine. -- Numbers 6:3
16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
17And he (John) shall go before HIM (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
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18--20 Zechariah evidently expressed doubt, and so as both a punishment as well as a sign, he was stricken speechless for the coming nine months of Elizabeth's pregnancy.
18-20 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. -- If Gods in it what does it matter?
19And the angel answering said unto him, (Zechariah) I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, (messenger) and to shew thee these glad tidings. -- [This good news]
20And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. -- God does every thing at the right time, He does nothing haphazardly. ~~ He has a set time, day, month and year for the rapture, nothing is early and nothing is late.
>Heb. 10: 37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. -- When the set time arrives there's nothing can hinder it or stop it, He'll not tarry.
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~Let's be sure and notice verse 15 -- he (John) shall be great in the sight of the Lord, in the sight of the Lord Jesus.
ƒÞ Jesus said of John,
>Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
~What does that mean?
~John the Baptist is less than the least in the kingdom of God, because John was not born again under the terms of the new covenant, (GRACE) on account that Jesus' work on the cross had not yet been accomplished. -- Positionally, John was still under the Old Testament covenant; he was martyred (beheaded) before the new dispensation of grace that began after Calvary. -- John is counted as being in the LAW dispensation. --- The O.T. saints, along with the N.T. Martyrs, are raised after the Tribulation, but before the Kingdom begin. --
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ƒÞ John will be among the honored guest at the marriage supper.
~NOTICE: at the marriage supper, not at the marriage.
Rev.19:7-9 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to HIM for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
~NOTICE: -- for the marriage of the Lamb is come-- it doesn't say, -- "for the marriage of the Lamb and Church is come." --He is to always have the preeminence in all things. -- [Be first]
>Colossians 1:18-- that in all things he might have the preeminence.
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8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. We're making our wedding garment now, our good deeds, our works.
The word "righteousness" of saints-- is to do with the deeds of the saints; it has a different meaning than "the righteousness" of God.
>2 Corinthians 5: 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
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>Rev.19: 9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.
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The marriage of the Lamb (verses 7-8) and the marriage supper of the Lamb (vs. 9) is not the same event, or the same time. -- The marriage of the Lamb will take place in heaven, (just before Jesus comes back to earth in verse 11-- but the marriage supper will take place upon the earth, after He sets up His Kingdom. -- The 1000 year reign of King Jesus. -- Rev.20:1-6 tell us it will last 1000 years.
~The marriage supper is when the Bridegroom [Jesus] presents His bride [the church] to the guests of the marriage supper.
~It will be after the Tribulation on earth, after all the O.T. saints are resurrected, along with the N.T. Martyred saints in Rev.20:4-6.
-- All redeemed people will be invited quest, not the Church; there would be no wedding if the Church was not there. -- The Church will not be invited too her own wedding. -- At this present time an invitation is being given out to become a member of His Church, to be saved, all that do will be in that vast number that'll make up the Bride. -- Because God is God, He knows the exact number.
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~Among the invited quest will be "converted Israel," Israel will finally realize that Jesus truly was and is their Messiah, the Tribulation is primarily too punish His chosen people "ISRAEL" for their disobedience toward Him.
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~ Also gentiles that were saved during the Tribulation, (Rev.7:) -- and resurrected O.T. saints, "John the Baptist will be among these"- also believers that were Martyred during the Tribulation, [Rev.6:9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:] --- as well as, Job, Noah, Enoch, Lot, all the believers even before there was ever the Law of Moses, people that we have never heard of will be there as invited quest too the wedding.
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~There are people that think that while John was in prison that he begin to wonder and doubt if Jesus was truly the Messiah or not, but we must never think that of John, John never doubted who Jesus was, John wanted for his disciples to be sure who Jesus was. -- John was locked up in prison, he couldn't go too Jesus with his disciples.
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@@@ Luke 7:19-23 And John calling unto him two of his disciples (2 or 3 is a witness)
>Deut.19:-- at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
---- sent them to Jesus, saying, "Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?"
20When the men were come unto HIM, they said, "John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou HE that should come? or look we for another?"
~ Let's be sure and notice what happens next, Jesus knew what John was doing.
21And in that same hour [not days after] HE cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind HE gave sight.
~NOTICE: Jesus did this for the disciples of John's benefit, not John.
22Then [immediately] Jesus answering said unto them, [John's disciples] Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; (John would then know that his followers knew who Jesus was) how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
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* Let us never accuse John of doubting who Jesus was.
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Listen; when John baptized Jesus he witnessed the Holy Trinity at His baptism.
> Matt. 3:13-17 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer (allow) it to be so now: for thus it becometh us (fitting for us) to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
LISTEN--16And Jesus, (Son of God) when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: (notice, baptism is immersion, people don't walk out into a body of water to be sprinkled, John was not called "John the sprinkler") --- and, lo, the heavens were opened unto HIM and he [JOHN) saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon HIM: [Jesus]
17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, (the Father) in whom I am well pleased.
~In these verses we have the Holy Trinity. -- The Father speaks, the Spirit descends, and the Son is baptized.
~It really stretches the imagination for a person to say John doubted.
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Why was Jesus baptized? -- Jesus is identifying Himself completely with sinful mankind. -- Also water baptism is symbolic of death. -- All four Gospels relate this event.
