We are in the midst's of our greatest need of the worlds history record for the return of the Lord Jesus in a visible physical sense. Mans economies, governments and religions have all but collapsed the world over. That said now measure the people's who are in such despair because inwardly they are also in need of GOD's Grace and Spirit to rise up within mans soul like never before. Listening to the world news and even the locale news feeds reveals the waywardness and corruption and in a few places the out right lawlessness and rebellion of man is so shamefully apparent. Where ever a righteous person is there is peace and control with order and grace seen and known. The darkness of mans soul is raging all over the place and over flows on the streets also the world over. But GOD's people shine as the morning star that has risen within them as they speak in calmness and with poise and by this have control of the situation around them and His Grace and light is thereby known. This causes the hostile people to become even more hostile as they attach those who have the expressed character of Christ within them. Sometimes even those of GOD, having GOD's character, will explode like any other animal who suffers violence like a powerhouse, causing His righteousness to prevail even then. Okay, Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and Jesus humility. Then I will look at what can be called the glorified Christ using the ESV translation as I have been doing for some time now. And it goes unsaid, that all is done under the leadership of the LORD as He reveals Himself through my body.
"Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Humility"
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
"In order to live daily by the Grace of GOD, we must be willing to walk in humility. "GOD . . . gives Grace to the humble" (1Peter 5:5). The word of GOD offers extensive teaching concerning a life of humility. Moreover, in all of the scriptures we will find no greater insight than that which pertains to Jesus, the ultimate example of humility. For He walked with power and authority in control like no one else, but only used it when it was in need by those around Him and this usually for healing in some form.
Before He came to earth as a man, Jesus had existed throughout eternity past as deity, the eternal Son of GOD. "Bethlehem . . . out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). Since He was GOD, claiming deity was not an inappropriate intrusion into another's domain: "who, being in the form of GOD, did not consider it robbery to be equal with GOD." Although He would of necessity exist endlessly as GOD (even during His pilgrimage as a man), He did not go about independently exercising His Godhood: "but made Himself of no reputation." Instead of manifesting all of His innate glory, He functioned as any human slave would: "taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men." During His earthly ministry, He Himself would emphasize His servanthood role. "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
In His majestic salvation mission, Jesus, the Son of GOD, would voluntarily accept the path of humility. "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." This humility involved a yielding to the Father that was so extensive He would even embrace the most abhorrent death of all, a sin-atoning crucifixion. In spiritual agony, He would pray, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39). This humble surrender to the Father's Will is the path that our LORD calls us to walk. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."
The Glorified Christ:
Seen at Transformation,
Mark 9:1, 2-8 "Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of GOD after it has come with power."
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. To this Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son; listen to Him." And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only."
As Portrayed by Himself,
John 1:43-51 "The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of Whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered Him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of GOD! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of GOD ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
Appeared at Paul's Conversion,
Acts 9:1-9 "But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" To this Paul said, "Who are you, LORD?" And HE said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank."
Described by the Revelator,
Revelation 1:12-16 and 14:14-16 "Then I [John] turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a Son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around His chest. The hairs of His head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, His feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. In His right hand HE held seven stars, from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength."
Revelation 14:14-16 "Then I [John] looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a Son of man, with a golden crown on His head, and a sharp sickle in His hand. And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Put in Your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe." So He who sat on the cloud swung His sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped."
Revelation 19:11-13 "Then I [John] saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of GOD."
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