The Bible is sacred history—history being His story. In the Old Testament, you have God the Son prophesied as through types, symbols, and prophecies the Scriptures say, “Jesus is coming!” The Gospels and Acts feature God the Son presented through His messages, model, ministry, and miracles, all declaring, “Jesus has come!” Then the rest of the New Testament is God the Son proclaimed alerting us that, “Jesus is coming again!” How then should we prepare to meet Him? What kind of life should we live?
From Romans to Revelation, you find the implications of the incarnation. Jesus is explained and proclaimed. Look at two texts, Romans 1:1-5 and Revelation 1:1-2.
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.....” (Rom.1:1-5). From the first epistle of Paul, you see Jesus proclaimed. He will be in the spotlight of all the epistles.
As we come to the close of the New Testament, we see that John is directing our attention to Jesus.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.” (Rev.1:1-2).
The message of the early church focused on Jesus. Paul would say, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor.2:2). That is still our message today, whether our text is from the Old Testament or New Testament. Jesus is the hero of holy history.
How will history conclude? “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Rev.22:20-21).
I agree with John Newton, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” I am so glad someone told me about Jesus! He has changed my direction on earth and my destination in eternity!
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