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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Piliin Ngayon Kung Sino ang Paglilingkuran Mo

Si Josue ay nakipag-usap sa mga anak ni Israel samantalang siya’y naghahanda na mamatay sa pinagpalaang pag-asang iyon na darating pa. Kaya’t ngayo’y matakot kayo sa Panginoon, at maglingkod kayo sa kaniya sa katapatan at sa katotohanan: at inyong alisin ang mga dios na pinaglingkuran ng inyong mga magulang sa kabilang dako ng Ilog, at sa Egipto; at maglingkod kayo sa Panginoon. At kung sa inyong mga mata ay masama na maglingkod sa Panginoon, piliin ninyo sa araw na ito kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran, kung ang mga dios na sinambaan ng inyong mga magulang na nasa kabilang dako ng baha, o ang mga dios ng mga Amoreo na inyong tinatahanan sa lupain nila: nguni’t tungkol sa akin at sa aking sangbahayan, ay maglilingkod kami sa Panginoon. (Josue 24:14-15).

Ang simbahan ngayon ay talagang nakagugulat sa akin. Hindi laging sa mabuting paraan. Iyan ang dahilan ng artikulong ito. Kung titingnan ng isa ang mga lugar na gaya ng Aprika, at Silangan, makikita natin ang dalawang magkakaibang grupo na tinatawag ang kanilang sarili na Kristiyano. Sa mga lugar na hindi kanluranin, ang mga Kristiyano ay nahaharap sa araw-araw na pagkamartir.

Hindi lamang tinatrato ng Islamikong pinamumunuan ang mga Kristiyano bilang isang uri ng alipin, wala silang problema sa pagwasak ng mga simbahan, paaralan, at mga tahanan. Tingnan ang Pakistan noong nakaraang taon. Dahil sa isang maling ulat na isang ministro ang nagpakapahamak sa Qur’an, ang malalaking grupo ng mga gusali at ang kanilang mga nilalaman ay sinunog nang buo. Ang mga Kristiyano ay walang mga simbahan, walang mga tahanan, at nawalan ng kanilang mga ari-arian. Kahit na ang mga bata ay napipilitang magtrabaho sa mga lugar ng mga hurno ng ladrillo kasama ng kanilang mga magulang.

Sa India, sila’y nahaharap sa mga pag-atake mula sa parehong mga tagasunod ng Hindu at Islam. Kung hindi pinatay, ang mga Kristiyanong ito pagkatapos ng pag-atake ay patuloy na nangangaral ng ipinako sa krus na Kristo. Sila’y nakaharap sa dalawang kaaway sa bansang iyon. Dalawang frontong ipagtanggol.

Sa mga lugar sa Aprika, ang mga Islamikong grupo na gaya ng Boko Haram ay hindi lamang pumatay ng mga Kristiyano. Sinasakop nila ang mga nayon ng mga Kristiyano at dinukot ang mga estudyante na Kristiyano. Ang ilan ay tinubos, ang ilan ay natagpuan, ang ilan ay tumakas, at ang ilan ay pinatay.

Sa Tsina, sinasabi ni Pangulong Xi Jinping at ng kanyang kinokontrol na administrasyon sa mga simbahan kung sino ang maaaring maging mga pastor, pari, atbp. Kailangan nilang ilagay ang kaniyang larawan sa mga simbahan, walang mga krus, at ayon sa ilang ulat, ay nagpaplano na muling isulat ang Banal na Kasulatan. Sa bagong pamumusong ito, ang estado ang magiging tagapagligtas at si Jesus ang anti-Kristo.

Kaya ano ang nangyayari sa Kanluran? Ang makasalanang ideolohiya ay nakaupo sa pulpito at mga bangko. Yaong mga nangangaral ng Kristo na ipinako sa krus ay tinutuya, tinutukso, “kinansela” at ikinulong dahil sa pulisya ng kaisipan. Oo, kung minsan sila’y sinasalakay at pinapatay, ngunit hindi sa pangkalahatan.

May tatlong kampo sa Kanluran na nagngangalang Christian. Ang una ay yaong mga hindi sumasalungat sa lahat ng pagsuway at kasalanan, sapagkat ang kanilang ipinangangaral ay ang Diyos ay pag-ibig at samakatuwid tinatanggap ka Niya at hindi ka hinihiling na magbago. Ang mga ito ay hindi mga Kristiyano ni ipinapangaral ang Kristo ng Kasulatan. Nagbabala si Pablo tungkol sa mga ito (Galacia 1:8-9). Ang mga ito ay ang mga lobo (Mateo 7:15). Sila’y maliwanag na nagpapahamak sa Soberanong Diyos at sa Kaniyang Anak. Sila, gaya ng sanlibutan, ay tumatawag sa masama na mabuti at sa mabuti na masama (Isaias 5:20).

Pagkatapos ay mayroon ding kampo ng mga debotadong Kristiyano. Ito ang mga nangangaral  ⁇ kung gayon ang sabi ng Panginoon ⁇ . Naniniwala sila na ang bawat salita ng Kasulatan ay totoo. Naniniwala sila na ikaw ay dumating kay Kristo kung ano ka, ngunit hindi ka iiwan ni Kristo kung paano ka dumating (2 Corinto 5:17). Sila’y nangangaral gaya ni Jesus, ni Juan Bautista at ng mga Apostol. Tinatawag nila ang tao na magsisi (Mateo 3:2, Marcos 1:15, Gawa 2:3). Ang pagsisisi ay pagbabago ng isip at puso. Isang bagay na tanging ang Soberanong Diyos lamang ang maaaring gawin. Sila’y nangangaral ng Krus ni Kristo na ipinako sa krus (1 Corinto 2:2). Ipinapangaral nila na ang tanging daan sa walang hanggang kaligtasan sa Diyos ay sa pamamagitan ni Jesu-Kristo (Gawa 4:12).

Pagkatapos ay may ikatlong grupo. Ito ang mga naniniwala na katulad ng ikalawang grupo. Ngunit magngangalit kapag dumating ang mga suliranin. Habang ang mga Kristiyano ay ipinatapon sa bilangguan dahil sa pulisya ng pag-iisip (Inglatera) at dahil sa pagtatanggol sa kanilang mga karapatan (Canada at E.U.A.), sila’y nag-aayuno at nagrereklamo. Ang pagpunta sa bilangguan dahil sa pananampalataya ay dapat na maging isang kagalakan. Kung ikulong ka nila sa bilangguan, kung gayon sila’y nagtagumpay sa kanilang sariling layunin. Binigyan ka nila ng isang nakabilanggo na madla. Isaalang-alang ito. Isinara ka nila dahil sa pagsasabi mo sa ilang tao tungkol sa kapangyarihan ni Kristo na magliligtas, pagkatapos ay inilalagay ka nila sa isang naka-lock na gusali ng maraming tao na hindi makaiwas sa iyo. Tulad nina Pablo at Silas. Ang pagtangis at pagiging tahimik ay ipinagbabawal sa Kasulatan (Mateo 10:33). Ito ang mga taong matatakot sa pagkawala at panganib upang sabihin ang pangalan ni Jesus (Mateo 15:8).

Sinabi ni Jesus sa atin, bilang tunay na mga alagad, kung ano ang ating haharapin. “Kung magkagayo’y kayo’y ibibigay nila upang kayo’y madusa at papatayin kayo; at kayo’y mangapopoot sa lahat ng mga bansa dahil sa aking pangalan. At sa panahong iyon marami ang masisira, at magtataksil sa isa’t isa, at magkapoot sa isa’t isa ⁇  (Mateo 24:9-10). Kung kinapootan nila ang mga propeta, si Jesus, at ang mga Apostol, kung gayon bakit hindi maniniwala ang mga Kristiyano na tayo’y kinapootan din? Si Jesus ay dumating upang iligtas tayo mula sa Diyos sa pamamagitan ng kaligtasan ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng Kaniyang sarili. Hindi niya sinabi na magiging madali ang buhay. Hindi niya sinabi na siya ay nagmamahal sa lahat at pinapayagan silang mabuhay ayon sa kanilang nais.  ⁇ Huwag ninyong isipin na ako’y naparito upang magpadala ng kapayapaan sa lupa: hindi ako naparito upang magpadala ng kapayapaan, kundi ng tabak. Sapagkat ako’y naparito upang paghiwalayin ang anak na lalaki laban sa kaniyang ama, at ang anak na babae laban sa kaniyang ina, at ang manugang na babae laban sa kaniyang biyenan. At ang mga kaaway ng tao ay ang mga nasa kaniyang sariling sambahayan. Ang nagmamahal ng ama o ina higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin; at ang nagmamahal ng anak na lalaki o babae higit sa akin ay hindi karapat-dapat sa akin. At ang hindi tumatagal ng kaniyang krus, at sumunod sa akin, ay hindi karapatdapat sa akin. Sinumang makahanap ng kanyang buhay ay mawawala ito: at sinumang mawawala ng kanyang buhay dahil sa akin ay makakahanap ito ⁇  (Mateo 34-39).

Ang Pastor na si Adrian Rogers ang pinakamahusay na nagsabi nito. Ang kaligtasan ay walang bayad. Ang pagiging alagad ay magugugol sa iyo ng lahat. Kailangan mong magpasya ngayon, kung aling kampo ng Kristiyano ang nasa iyo bago ang digmaan. Kami’y nakikipaglaban sa maliliit na labanan ngayon, ngunit ang digmaan ay darating pa. Isusuot ang armadurang ibinigay sa atin ng Diyos. Sa wakas, mga kapatid ko, maging malakas kayo sa Panginoon at sa kapangyarihan ng kanyang kapangyarihan. Magsuot kayo ng buong sandata ng Dios, upang kayo’y makapagtakda laban sa mga panlilinlang ng diyablo. Sapagkat tayo’y nakikipaglaban hindi laban sa laman at dugo kundi laban sa mga pamumuno, laban sa mga kapangyarihan, laban sa mga pinuno ng kadiliman ng sanlibutang ito, laban sa mga espiritu ng kasamaan sa kataas-taasang dako. Kaya’t magsuot kayo ng buong sandata ng Dios, upang kayo’y makapaglaban sa masamang araw, at pagkatapos na gawin ninyo ang lahat, ay makatatayo. Kaya’t kayo’y tumayo, na ang inyong mga baywang ay nakasuot ng katotohanan, at nakasuot ng kalasag sa dibdib ng katuwiran; at ang inyong mga paa ay nasusukat ng paghahanda sa ebanghelyo ng kapayapaan; higit sa lahat, na ang inyong hawak ay ang kalasag ng pananampalataya, na sa pamamagitan nito ay inyong mapapalag ang lahat ng nagniningning na mga baril ng masama. At tanggapin ninyo ang helmet ng kaligtasan, at ang tabak ng Espiritu, na siyang salita ng Diyos: na lagi kayong nananalangin sa lahat ng panalangin at pagsusumamo sa Espiritu, at sa pag-iingat na ito ay magpatuloy kayo sa lahat ng pagtitiyaga at pagsusumamo para sa lahat ng mga banal; at para sa akin, na ako’y bigyan ng pananalita, na aking buksan ang aking bibig nang may katapangan, upang ipabatid ang hiwaga ng ebanghelyo, na kung saan ako’y isang embahador na nasa mga tanikala; upang sa pamamagitan nito’y ako’y makapagsalita nang may katapangan, gaya ng dapat kong pagsalita. ⁇  (Efeso 6:10-20)

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Christianity, Current events, doctrine, faith, Theology, Uncategorized

Defiance, Debosyon, at Bunga

Ang sangkatauhan ay may dalawang pagpipilian na gagawin sa buhay na ito. Ang sumunod sa Diyos o ang suwayin ang Diyos (na sumusunod kay Satanas). Si Jesus na Anak at ang Diyos Ama ay nilinaw sa pamamagitan ng lahat ng banal na kasulatan, na mayroon lamang ang dalawang pagpipiliang ito. Ang isa ay humahantong sa buhay na walang hanggan kasama ang Diyos, ang isa ay humahantong sa walang hanggang kapahamakan.Ngayon ay titingnan natin ang isang kuwento sa Daniel na naglalarawan ng dalawang pagpipiliang ito. Alam natin ang kuwento tungkol kay Haring Nabucodonosor ng sinaunang Babilonya. Alam natin kung paano ang kanyang panaginip tungkol sa multi metal na palatuntunan ay binigyang kahulugan ni Daniel.

Daniel 2At nang ikalawang taon ng paghahari ni Nabucodonosor ay nanaginip si Nabucodonosor ng mga panaginip, na kung saan ang kaniyang espiritu ay nabagabag, at ang kaniyang pagtulog ay naputol mula sa kaniya. Nang magkagayo’y iniutos ng hari na tawagin ang mga salamangkero, at ang mga astrologo, at ang mga mangkukulam, at ang mga Caldeo, sapagka’t upang ipakita sa hari ang kaniyang mga panaginip. Kaya’t sila’y lumapit at tumayo sa harap ng hari. At sinabi ng hari sa kanila, Ako’y nanaginip ng panaginip, at ang aking espiritu ay nabagabag upang malaman ang panaginip. Nang magkagayo’y nagsalita ang mga Caldeo sa hari sa Siria, Oh hari, mabuhay ka magpakailan man: sabihin mo sa iyong mga lingkod ang panaginip, at aming ipapakita ang kahulugan. Sumagot ang hari at sinabi sa mga Caldeo, Ang bagay ay nawala sa akin: kung hindi ninyo ipaaalam sa akin ang panaginip, kasama ng kahulugan niyaon, kayo’y puputolputol, at ang inyong mga bahay ay gagawing isang dumi ng dumi. Datapuwa’t kung inyong ipakita ang panaginip, at ang kahulugan niyaon, kayo’y tatanggap sa akin ng mga kaloob at mga gantimpala at malaking karangalan: kaya’t ipakita ninyo sa akin ang panaginip, at ang kahulugan niyaon. Sila’y sumagot uli at nagsabi, Sabihin ng hari sa kaniyang mga lingkod ang panaginip, at aming ipapakita ang kahulugan nito. Sumagot ang hari at sinabi, Nalalaman ko nang may katiyakan na inyong matatamo ang panahon, sapagka’t nakikita ninyong ang bagay ay nawala sa akin. Datapuwa’t kung hindi ninyo ipaalam sa akin ang panaginip, ay iisa lamang ang utos sa inyo: sapagka’t kayo’y naghanda ng mga kasinungalingan at mga salitang bulok na magsalita sa harap ko, hanggang sa ang panahon ay mabago: kaya’t sabihin ninyo sa akin ang panaginip, at aking malalaman na inyong maipapahayag sa akin ang kahulugan niyaon.Sumagot ang mga Caldeo sa harap ng hari, at nagsabi, Walang lalake sa lupa na makapagpapakita ng bagay ng hari: kaya’t walang hari, panginoon, o pinuno, na humingi ng gayong mga bagay sa sinomang salamangkero, o astrologo, o Caldeo. At ito’y isang bihirang bagay na hinihingi ng hari, at walang ibang makapagpapakita nito sa harap ng hari, maliban sa mga dios, na ang nananahan ay hindi may laman. Dahil dito’y nagalit ang hari at labis na nagalit, at inutusang lipulin ang lahat ng pantas ng Babilonia. At ang kautusan ay lumaganap na ang mga pantas na lalaki ay papatayin; at hinanap nila si Daniel at ang kanyang mga kapwa upang patayin.Nang magkagayo’y sumagot si Daniel na may payo at karunungan kay Arioch na kapitan ng bantay ng hari, na nagsilabas upang patayin ang mga pantas sa Babilonia: Siya’y sumagot at sinabi kay Arioch na kapitan ng hari, Bakit ang utos ay nagmamadali sa hari Pagkatapos ay ipinaalam ni Arioch ang bagay kay Daniel. Nang magkagayo’y pumasok si Daniel, at hiniling sa hari na bigyan siya ng panahon, at ipahayag niya sa hari ang kahulugan. Nang magkagayo’y nagsiparoon si Daniel sa kaniyang bahay, at ipinaalam ang bagay kay Hananias, kay Misael, at kay Azarias, na kaniyang mga kasama: Na sila’y magsisipagnais ng mga awa ng Dios ng langit hinggil sa lihim na ito; upang si Daniel at ang kanyang mga kapwa ay hindi mapahamak kasama ng iba pang mga pantas na tao sa Babilonia.Nang magkagayo’y nahayag kay Daniel ang lihim sa isang pangitain sa gabi. Pagkatapos ay pinagpala ni Daniel ang Diyos ng langit. Sumagot si Daniel at sinabi,

Purihin ang pangalan ng Diyos magpakailanman at walang katapusan:

sapagkat ang karunungan at kapangyarihan ay sa kanya:

At kaniyang binabago ang mga panahon at ang mga kapanahunan:

kaniyang inaalis ang mga hari, at nagtatayo ng mga hari:

siya’y nagbibigay ng karunungan sa mga pantas,

at kaalaman sa mga nakakaalam ng pag unawa:

Inihahayag niya ang malalim at lihim na mga bagay:

alam niya kung ano ang nasa dilim,

at ang liwanag ay nananahan sa kanya.

Pinasasalamatan kita, at pinupuri kita, Oh ikaw na Dios ng aking mga ninuno,

na nagbigay sa akin ng karunungan at kapangyarihan,

at ipinaalam mo sa akin ngayon ang aming ninanais sa iyo:

sapagkat ipinaalam mo na ngayon sa amin ang bagay na hari.Kaya’t pumasok si Daniel kay Arioc, na inordenan ng hari na lipulin ang mga pantas na tao sa Babilonia: siya ay yumaon at nagsabi ng ganito sa kaniya; Huwag mong lipulin ang mga pantas na lalake sa Babilonia: ipasok mo ako sa harap ng hari, at aking ipapakita sa hari ang kahulugan. Nang magkagayo’y isinugod ni Arioch si Daniel sa harap ng hari na nagmamadali, at ganito ang sinabi sa kaniya, Ako’y nakasumpong ng isang lalake sa mga bihag ng Juda, na magpapaalam sa hari ng kahulugan. Sumagot ang hari at sinabi kay Daniel, na ang pangalan ay Beltsasar, Ikaw ba’y makapagbibigay alam sa akin ng panaginip na aking nakita, at ng kahulugan niyaon Sumagot si Daniel sa harapan ng hari, at nagsabi, Ang lihim na hiniling ng hari ay hindi maipakikita ng mga pantas, ng mga astrologo, ng mga salamangkero, ng mga manghuhula, sa hari; Datapuwa’t may Dios sa langit na nagpapahayag ng mga lihim, at nagpapaalam sa haring Nabucodonosor kung ano ang mangyayari sa mga huling araw. Ang iyong panaginip, at ang mga pangitain ng iyong ulo sa iyong higaan, ay ito; Tungkol sa iyo, Oh hari, ang iyong mga pagiisip ay pumasok sa iyong isipan sa iyong higaan, kung ano ang mangyayari sa kabilang buhay: at siya na nagbubunyag ng mga lihim ay nagpapakilala sa iyo kung ano ang mangyayari. Datapuwa’t tungkol sa akin, ang lihim na ito ay hindi inihayag sa akin dahil sa anumang karunungan na mayroon ako nang higit kay sa sinumang nabubuhay, kundi dahil sa kanila na magpapaalam ng kahulugan sa hari, at upang malaman mo ang mga kaisipan ng iyong puso.Ikaw, Oh hari, ay nakakita, at narito ang isang dakilang larawan. Ang dakilang larawang ito, na ang ningning ay napakaganda, ay nakatayo sa iyong harapan; at ang anyo niyaon ay kakila kilabot. Ang ulo ng imaheng ito ay yari sa pinong ginto, ang kanyang dibdib at ang kanyang mga bisig ay pilak, ang kanyang tiyan at ang kanyang mga hita ay tanso, ang kanyang mga binti ay bakal, ang kanyang mga paa ay bahagi ng bakal at bahagi ng putik. Nakita mo hanggang sa ang isang bato ay pinutol nang walang mga kamay, na humampas sa larawan sa kaniyang mga paa na yari sa bakal at putik, at pinagputolputol ang mga ito. Nang magkagayo’y ang bakal, ang putik, ang tanso, ang pilak, at ang ginto, ay pinagputol-putol, at naging gaya ng mga dawag ng mga bakuran ng tag-init; At sila’y dinala ng hangin, na walang dakong nasumpungan para sa kanila: at ang batong humampas sa larawan ay naging malaking bundok, at napuno ang buong lupa.Ito ang panaginip; at sasabihin natin ang kahulugan nito sa harap ng hari. Ikaw, Oh hari, ay hari ng mga hari: sapagka’t binigyan ka ng Dios ng langit ng isang kaharian, kapangyarihan, at lakas, at kaluwalhatian. At saan man nananahan ang mga anak ng tao, ang mga hayop sa parang at ang mga ibon sa langit ay ibinigay niya sa iyong kamay, at ginawa kang pinuno sa kanilang lahat. Ikaw ang ulo na ito ng ginto. At pagkatapos mo ay babangon ang ibang kaharian na mas mababa sa iyo, at ang isa pang ikatlong kaharian na tanso, na siyang maghahari sa buong lupa. At ang ikaapat na kaharian ay magiging matibay na parang bakal: yamang ang bakal ay nagsisira at sumasakop sa lahat ng bagay: at gaya ng bakal na nagsisira ng lahat ng ito, ay magsisipagputol putol at magsisira. At samantalang nakikita mo ang mga paa at daliri ng paa, bahagi ng putik ng mga palayok, at bahagi ng bakal, ang kaharian ay hahatiin; ngunit magkakaroon sa loob nito ng lakas ng bakal, yayamang nakita mo ang bakal na hinaluan ng putik na putik. At kung paanong ang mga daliri sa paa ng mga paa ay bahagi ng bakal, at bahagi ng putik, gayon ang kaharian ay magiging bahagyang malakas, at bahagyang masira. At samantalang ikaw ay nakakita ng bakal na hinaluan ng putik na miry, ay makikihalubilo sila sa binhi ng mga tao: nguni’t hindi sila magkakadikit sa isa’t isa, gaya ng bakal na hindi nahahalo sa putik. At sa mga kaarawan ng mga hari na ito ay magtatayo ang Dios ng langit ng isang kaharian, na hindi kailanman malilipol: at ang kaharian ay hindi iiwan sa ibang bayan, kundi ito’y magsisipagputol putol at lulubusin ang lahat ng kaharian na ito, at ito’y mananatili magpakailan man. Yayamang nakita mo na ang bato ay pinutol mula sa bundok nang walang mga kamay, at na pinutol nito ang bakal, ang tanso, ang putik, ang pilak, at ang ginto; ipinaalam ng dakilang Dios sa hari kung ano ang mangyayari sa kabilang buhay: at ang panaginip ay tiyak, at ang kahulugan niyaon ay tiyak.Nang magkagayo’y nagpatirapa ang haring Nabucodonosor, at sinamba si Daniel, at iniutos na sila’y maghandog ng isang handog at mga mabangong amoy sa kaniya. Sumagot ang hari kay Daniel, at nagsabi, Sa katotohanan nga, ang inyong Dios ay Dios ng mga dios, at Panginoon ng mga hari, at tagapaghayag ng mga lihim, yamang maaari mong ihayag ang lihim na ito. Nang magkagayo’y ginawa ng hari si Daniel na isang dakilang lalake, at binigyan siya ng maraming dakilang kaloob, at ginawa siyang pinuno sa buong lalawigan ng Babilonia, at pangulo ng mga gobernador sa lahat ng pantas na lalake sa Babilonia. Nang magkagayo’y humingi si Daniel sa hari, at kaniyang inilagay si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, sa mga gawain ng lalawigan ng Babilonia: nguni’t si Daniel ay naupo sa pintuang daan ng hari.Ngunit tulad ng makikita natin sa kabanata 3, nagpasiya ang hari na hadlangan ang pangitain at nagtayo ng rebultong solidong ginto at iniutos ang pagsamba sa imahen. Ito ay isang foreshadowing ng Apocalipsis 13:15 ‘At siya ay may kapangyarihang bigyan ng buhay ang larawan ng hayop, upang ang larawan ng hayop ay parehong magsalita, at maging sanhi na ang maraming mga ayaw sumamba sa larawan ng hayop ay dapat patayin.’

Daniel 3Si Nabucodonosor na hari ay gumawa ng isang larawang ginto, na ang taas ay tatlong pung siko, at ang lapad niyaon ay anim na siko: kaniyang itinayo sa kapatagan ng Dura, sa lalawigan ng Babilonia. Nang magkagayo’y nagsugo si Nabucodonosor na hari upang tipunin ang mga prinsipe, ang mga gobernador, at ang mga kapitan, ang mga hukom, ang mga ingat yaman, ang mga tagapayo, ang mga sheriff, at ang lahat na pinuno ng mga lalawigan, upang lumapit sa paglalaan ng larawang itinayo ni Nabucodonosor na hari. Nang magkagayo’y ang mga prinsipe, ang mga gobernador, at mga kapitan, ang mga hukom, ang mga tagapagingat yaman, ang mga tagapayo, ang mga serapido, at ang lahat ng pinuno ng mga lalawigan, ay nagtipon-tipon sa paglalaan ng larawang itinayo ni Nabucodonosor na hari; at sila ay tumayo sa harap ng imahen na itinayo ni Nabucodonosor. Nang magkagayo’y sumigaw ng malakas ang isang tagapagbalita, Sa inyo’y iniutos, Oh bayan, mga bansa, at mga wika, Na sa panahong inyong marinig ang tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sakopa, salterio, dulcimer, at lahat ng uri ng musika, kayo’y magpatirapa at sambahin ang larawang ginto na inilagay ni Nabucodonosor na hari: At ang sinomang hindi magpatirapa at sumamba ay ihahagis sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Kaya’t nang panahong yaon, nang marinig ng buong bayan ang tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sackbutt, psaltery, at lahat ng uri ng musika, ang lahat ng mga tao, ang mga bansa, at ang mga wika, ay nagpatirapa at sumamba sa larawang ginto na itinayo ni Nabucodonosor na hari.Kaya’t nang panahong yaon ay lumapit ang ilang Caldeo, at inakusahan ang mga Judio. Sila’y nagsalita at sinabi sa haring Nabucodonosor, Oh hari, mabuhay ka magpakailan man. Ikaw, Oh hari, ay gumawa ng isang pasiya, na ang bawa’t tao na makaririnig ng tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sakopa, psaltery, at dulcimer, at lahat ng uri ng musika, ay magpapatirapa at sasamba sa larawang ginto: At ang sinomang hindi magpatirapa at sumamba, upang siya’y ihagis sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. May ilang Judio na iyong inilagay sa mga gawain ng lalawigan ng Babilonia, sina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego; ang mga lalaking ito, Oh hari, ay hindi nagbigay-pansin sa iyo: hindi sila naglingkod sa iyong mga dios, ni sumasamba man sa larawang ginto na iyong itinayo.Nang magkagayo’y si Nabucodonosor sa kaniyang galit at galit ay nag utos na dalhin si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego. Pagkatapos ay dinala nila ang mga lalaking ito sa harap ng hari. Nagsalita si Nabucodonosor at sinabi sa kanila, Totoo ba, Oh Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, hindi ba kayo naglilingkod sa aking mga dios, ni sumasamba man sa larawang ginto na aking itinayo Ngayon, kung kayo ay handa na sa oras na inyong marinig ang tunog ng korneta, plauta, alpa, sackbutt, psaltery, at dulcimer, at lahat ng uri ng musika, kayo ay magpapatirapa at sasamba sa larawang aking ginawa; mabuti: subalit kung hindi kayo sasamba, kayo ay itatapon sa oras ding iyon sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno; at sino ang Diyos na yaon na magliligtas sa inyo mula sa aking mga kamay? Sina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, ay sumagot at nagsabi sa hari, Oh Nabucodonosor, hindi kami maingat na sagutin ka sa bagay na ito. Kung gayon, ang ating Diyos na ating pinaglilingkuran ay may kakayahang iligtas tayo mula sa nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno, at ililigtas niya tayo sa iyong kamay, O hari. Ngunit kung hindi, alamin mo sa iyo, Oh hari, na hindi kami maglilingkod sa iyong mga dios, ni sasamba man sa gintong larawan na iyong itinayo.Nang magkagayo’y si Nabucodonosor ay puno ng galit, at ang anyo ng kaniyang visage ay nabago laban kay Sadrach, kay Mesach, at kay Abednego: kaya’t siya’y nagsalita, at iniutos na kanilang initin ang hurno nang makapitong beses na higit kay sa nakasanayan na mapainit. At kaniyang inutusan ang mga pinakamakapangyarihang lalake na nasa kaniyang hukbo na igapos si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, at ihagis sila sa nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Nang magkagayo’y ang mga lalaking ito ay iginapos sa kanilang mga balabal, ang kanilang mga hosen, at ang kanilang mga sumbrero, at ang kanilang iba pang mga kasuotan, at itinapon sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Kaya nga dahil sa ang utos ng hari ay kagyat, at ang hurno ay labis na mainit, ang apoy ng apoy ay pumatay sa mga lalaking yaon na nagdala kina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego. At ang tatlong lalaking ito, si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, ay nahulog na nakatali sa gitna ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno. Nang magkagayo’y nagulat si Nabucodonosor na hari, at nagmadaling bumangon, at nagsalita, at nagsabi sa kaniyang mga tagapayo, Hindi ba’t naghagis tayo ng tatlong lalake na nakatali sa gitna ng apoy Sila’y nagsisagot at sinabi sa hari, Totoo, Oh hari. Sumagot siya at sinabi, Narito, nakikita ko ang apat na lalaking nakawala, na naglalakad sa gitna ng apoy, at wala silang nasaktan at ang anyo ng ikaapat ay katulad ng Anak ng Diyos.Nang magkagayo’y lumapit si Nabucodonosor sa bibig ng nagniningas na nagniningas na hurno, at nagsalita, at nagsabi, Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, kayong mga lingkod ng Dios na kataastaasan, magsilabas kayo, at magsiparoon kayo rito. Nang magkagayo’y si Sadrach, si Mesach, at si Abednego, ay nagsilabas sa gitna ng apoy. At ang mga prinsipe, mga gobernador, at mga kapitan, at ang mga tagapayo ng hari, na nagkakatipon, ay nakita ang mga lalaking ito, na sa kanilang mga katawan ay walang kapangyarihan ang apoy, ni isang buhok sa kanilang ulo ay inawit, ni ang kanilang mga balabal ay nagbago, ni ang amoy ng apoy ay dumaan sa kanila. Nang magkagayo’y nagsalita si Nabucodonosor, at nagsabi, Purihin ang Dios ni Sadrach, ni Mesach, at ni Abednego, na nagsugo ng kaniyang anghel, at nagligtas sa kaniyang mga lingkod na nagsitiwala sa kaniya, at nagbago ng salita ng hari, at nagbigay ng kanilang mga katawan, upang hindi sila maglingkod o sumamba sa anomang dios, maliban sa kanilang sariling Dios. Kaya’t ako’y gumagawa ng isang kautusan, Na ang bawa’t bayan, bansa, at wika, na nagsasalita ng anomang bagay ay nagkakamali laban sa Dios ni Sadrach, ni Mesach, at ni Abednego, ay puputulin, at ang kanilang mga bahay ay gagawing isang dumi ng dumi: sapagka’t walang ibang Dios na makapagliligtas ayon sa ganitong uri. Pagkatapos ay itinaguyod ng hari sina Sadrach, Mesach, at Abednego, sa lalawigan ng Babilonia.Ang dalawang pagpipilian para sa buong sangkatauhan ay naroroon sa kuwentong ito. Ang dalawang grupo sa kuwentong ito ay nagpapakita ng tatlong bahagi ng pagpili para sa o laban sa Diyos. Ang pagsuway, ang debosyon, at ang resulta.

Pagsuway

Para sa Diyos: Sinuway ng tatlong lalake ng Israel ang utos ng hari, at tumangging yumuko sa rebulto.

Laban sa Diyos: Sinuway ng hari ang utos ng Diyos na Siya lamang ang Diyos.

Debosyon

Para sa Diyos: Sinabi ng tatlo sa Israel na, kahit hindi sila iligtas ng Diyos mula sa kamatayan, sasambahin pa rin nila SIYA.

Laban sa Diyos: Ang mga kawal ng hari, kahit na ang apoy ay mas mainit kaysa dati, ay nakatuon sa pagsunod sa mga utos upang ilagay ang tatlo ng Israel sa apoy.

BungaPara sa Diyos: Sa kabila ng pagkahagis sa nagniningas na impiyerno, hindi napinsala ang tatlo. Ang kanilang mga gapos ay bumaba, ang kanilang mga damit ay hindi nahawakan. Ngunit higit sa lahat, maging ang hari ay nakita ang kanilang pagtubos. Ang Anak ng Diyos bago siya nagkatawang tao. “Narito, nakikita ko ang apat na lalaking nakawala, na naglalakad sa gitna ng apoy, at wala silang nasaktan; at ang anyo ng ikaapat ay katulad ng Anak ng Diyos.” (Daniel 3:25).Laban sa Diyos: Ang pagpili na sundin ang utos ng hari, ay nagdulot ng buhay sa mga kawal. Ang apoy na utos ng hari na gawing mas mainit, ay naging apoy na paghatol ng Diyos sa mga kawal. Ito ay isang foreshadowing ng huling apoy na babagsak sa mundong ito. ‘at pagka ang libong taon ay lumipas, si Satanas ay palalayain sa kaniyang bilangguan, At lalabas upang linlangin ang mga bansa na nasa apat na sulok ng lupa, si Gog at si Magog, upang tipunin sila sa pakikipagdigma: ang bilang nila ay gaya ng buhangin sa dagat. At sila’y umahon sa lawak ng lupa, at pinalibutan ang kampamento ng mga banal sa palibot, at ang minamahal na bayan: at ang apoy ay bumaba mula sa Dios mula sa langit, at sila’y nilamon.’ (Apocalipsis 20:7-9).Nakikita natin sa kuwentong ito ng kasaysayan, nakikita natin ang mga bunga ng ating pinaglilingkuran. Dalawa lang ang pagpipilian: ang Diyos o si Satanas. Kung hindi mo pinili na maligtas sa pamamagitan ng dugo ni Cristo at sumunod sa KANYA, kung gayon sinusunod mo si Satanas. Kahit na naniniwala ka na sinusunod mo lamang ang iyong sarili, ang pagsuway sa Diyos ay ang pagsunod sa Kanyang kaaway, si Satanas.

Ang mga pagpipilian ay: Walang Hanggan kasama ang Diyos sa Langit o Walang Hanggang Kapahamakan sa Impiyerno.Mas maganda ang sinabi ni Joshua. ‘At kung tila masama sa inyo ang maglingkod sa Panginoon, piliin ninyo sa araw na ito kung sino ang inyong paglilingkuran; kung ang mga dios na pinaglingkuran ng inyong mga magulang na nasa kabilang dako ng baha, o ang mga dios ng mga Amorrheo, na sa lupain ay nananahan kayo: nguni’t tungkol sa akin at sa aking sangbahayan, ay maglilingkod kami sa Panginoon.’ (Josue 24:15)

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Christianity, faith, Uncategorized

The Four Advents of Jesus

While we celebrate the Advent season in the watching for the coming of the baby Jesus (God incarnate), Let us look at all the advents of Jesus. The incarnate was the first. The second would be the advent of the coming of Jesus to the beginning of his ministry. The third would be the advent of the coming from the tomb in Resurrection. The last would be the advent of his final coming as our King.

Many speak of the first advent and the last advent. But I have yet to hear a message on the other two as advents. But they were if you look at the term in its definition. In the Oxford dictionary, advent has two definitions. 1) the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event. 2)the coming or second coming of Christ. For this article, we will use both definitions. The Incarnation and the final return as King are defined with the second definition. The in-between two fall under the first definition.

Incarnation

The first advent of Jesus was the coming of God incarnate in man.

Matthew 1-2:1 (The lineage and birth of Jesus)

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.   Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;   And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;   And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;   And Salmon begat Boaz of Rachab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;   And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;   And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;   And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;   And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;   And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;   And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:   And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;   And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;   And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;   And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;   And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.   So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. 
   Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.   Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.   But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.   And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.   Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,   Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.   Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:   And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem

Luke 1:26-35, 41-43; 2:1-14 (The message of Gabriel, Elizabeth, and the angels)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,   To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.   And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.   And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.   And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.   And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.   He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:   And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.   Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?   And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. / 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:   And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.   And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? / And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.   (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)   And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.   And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)   To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.   And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.   And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.   And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.   And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.   And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.   For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

John 1:1-14 (God coming as man)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   The same was in the beginning with God.   All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.   In him was life; and the life was the light of men.   And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.   The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.   He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.   That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.   He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.   He came unto his own, and his own received him not.   But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:   Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.   And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Baptism

The second advent started with the baptism of Jesus to start his mission on earth.

Matthew 3:13-17

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.   But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?   And Jesus answering said unto him,  Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.  Then he suffered him.   And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:   And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:1-11

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;   As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.   The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.   John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.   And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.   And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;   And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.   I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.   And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.   And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:   And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Luke 3:21-23

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,   And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.   And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age,

John 1:15-16, 29-36

John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.   And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. / The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.   This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.   And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.   And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.   And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.   And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;   And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

Resurrection

The third advent started at the death on the cross and ended three days later

Matthew 27:50-28:10

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.   And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;   And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,   And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.   Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.   And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:   Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.   When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:   He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.   And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,   And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.   And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.  Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,   Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.   Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.    Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.   So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.   And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.    His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:   And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.   And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.   He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.   And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.   And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.    And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.   Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

Mark 15:37-16:9

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.   And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.   There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;   (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.  And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,   Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.   And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.   And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.   And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.   And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.   And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.   And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?   And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.   And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.   And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.   But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.   And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Luke 23:46-24:35

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.   Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.   And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.   And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:   (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.   This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.   And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.   And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.   And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.   And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.   And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.   And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.   And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:   And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?   He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,   Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.   And they remembered his words,   And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.    It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.   And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.   Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.  And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.   And they talked together of all these things which had happened.   And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.   But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.   And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?   And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?   And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:   And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.   But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.   Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;   And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.   And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.   Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:   Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?   And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.   And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.   But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.   And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.   And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.   And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?   And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,   Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.   And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Mark 19:30-20:18

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.   The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.   Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.   But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:   But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.   And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.   For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.   And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.  And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.   And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.   Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.   Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.   There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.  The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.   Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.   Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.   So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.   And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.   Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,   And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.   Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.   For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.   Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,   And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.   And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.   And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.   Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.   Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.   Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.   Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

King’s Enterance

The fourth advent will be at the end of the age, when Christ returns to collect his own, give due justice to the unrighteous and the eternal home with Christ.

Matthew 24:31-34

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:   And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:   And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.   Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mark 13:24-27

But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,   And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.   And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.   And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Luke 17:20-24

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:   Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.   And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.   And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.   For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

John 14:1-3

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.   In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Revelation 19:11-22:21

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.    His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.   And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.   And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.   And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.   And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;   That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.   And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.   And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.​  And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.   And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,   And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.   But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.   Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,   And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.   And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.   And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.   And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.   And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.   And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.   And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.   And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.   And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.   And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.   He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.   But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.   And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,   Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;   And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:   On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.   And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.   And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.   And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.   And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.   And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;   The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.   And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.   And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.   And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.   And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.   And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.   And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.   In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.   And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:   And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.   And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.   And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.   He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.   I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.   For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:   And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

I pray that his short study in the different advents will give you a desire to study deep into the Word of God through the Scriptures. To see each of these advents as ways to remember that we are watching in hope of our eternal home.

May this article bless you. Always study and pray. And as John ends the Revelation of Christ “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

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