Living in the Shadow of the Cross

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:4-5

Jesus, the Son of God, endured the agony of suffering, the anguish of bloodshed, and the finality of death, all for the redemption of our sins. His sacrifice upon the cross, bearing the weight of our transgressions, has cleansed our souls and paved the way for our reconciliation with the Divine.

“With one sacrifice, then, he has made perfect forever those who are purified from sin.” – Hebrews 10:14 GNT

In the shadow of the cross, we find solace, for it is there that we discover our righteousness, our justification, and our holiness.

“For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.”

– Hebrews 10:14 NET Bible

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”- 1 Peter 3:18

In the embrace of His sacrifice, we are immersed, and filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

Jesus became a curse to bless us.

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, and so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” – Galatians 3:13-14

Jesus is our Messiah, our Savior, He laid down his life, conquered death, and rose again, so that we may dwell in Him and He in us.

Let us request the Father to pour out His Spirit upon all, to save every soul, that they may bask in the light of His grace and mercy.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7-8

The Book of Revelation: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave.

The book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, is the last book of the New Testament and primarily reveals Jesus Christ as the exalted and victorious Son of God.

The very first verse of Revelation says that it is “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave”

 The main point of the book of Revelation is to reveal Jesus. The book provides a powerful and dramatic portrayal of Jesus, emphasizing his nature, character, and mission. The various images and symbols used throughout the book are intended to reveal several aspects of who Jesus is and what he has done. In short, the book of Revelation is primarily concerned with showing us who Jesus is and what he has accomplished through his life, death, and resurrection.

Throughout the book, Jesus is presented as the central figure, who is revealed in various ways. Here are 17 examples:

1. Jesus is revealed as the risen and glorified Son of God: In the opening vision, John sees a vision of Jesus as a radiant figure with hair white as snow, eyes like flames of fire, and feet like burnished bronze (Revelation 1:13-16). This depiction of Jesus emphasizes his divine nature and his exalted status as the Son of God.
2. Jesus is revealed as the Lamb of God: Throughout Revelation, Jesus is depicted as the Lamb of God who was slain for the sins of the world (Revelation 5:6-14; 7:14). This imagery emphasizes Jesus’ sacrificial love and the forgiveness of sins that he offers.
3. Jesus is revealed as the king: In several passages, Jesus is depicted as a victorious king who will defeat evil and establish his kingdom on earth (Revelation 19:11-16 and Revelation 5:5). This portrayal emphasizes Jesus’ power and authority over all things.
4. Jesus is revealed as the Alpha and Omega: In Revelation 1:8 and 22:13, Jesus declares himself as the “Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” This phrase emphasizes Jesus’ eternal nature and his role as the creator and sustainer of all things.
5. Jesus is revealed as the Judge: In several passages, Jesus is depicted as the judge who will render final judgment on all humanity (Revelation 20:11-15). This portrayal emphasizes Jesus’ authority to judge and his perfect justice.
6. Jesus is revealed as the Bridegroom: In Revelation 19:7-9, Jesus is depicted as the bridegroom who will marry his bride, the Church. This imagery emphasizes the intimacy and love between Jesus and his people.
7. Jesus is revealed as the Word of God: In Revelation 19:13, Jesus is described as the Word of God, who is faithful and true. This title emphasizes Jesus’ role as the revelation of God and the embodiment of his truth.
8. Jesus is revealed as the one who holds the keys to death and Hades: In Revelation 1:18, Jesus declares that he holds the keys to death and Hades. This imagery emphasizes Jesus’ power and authority over death and the grave, and his ability to grant eternal life to his followers.
9. Jesus is revealed as the Shepherd: In Revelation 7:17, it says that Jesus will lead his people to springs of living water and will wipe away every tear from their eyes. This imagery emphasizes Jesus’ care and provision for his people as a shepherd cares for his flock.
10. Jesus is revealed as the Light: In Revelation 21:23, it says that the city of New Jerusalem will not need the sun or the moon because the glory of God will give it light, and the Lamb (Jesus) will be its lamp. This imagery emphasizes Jesus’ role as the source of spiritual illumination.
11. Jesus is revealed as the Saviour: Throughout the book of Revelation, Jesus is portrayed as the one who saves his people from their sins (Revelation 5:9; 7:10). This emphasis on Jesus’ role as saviour highlights the importance of salvation and redemption in the Christian faith.
12. Jesus is revealed as the Prince of Peace: In Revelation 21:4, it says that God will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. This vision of peace and wholeness emphasizes Jesus’ role as the one who brings reconciliation and restoration to all things.
13. Jesus is revealed as the One who is worthy of all honour and praise: Throughout the book of Revelation, Jesus is depicted as the one who is worthy of worship and adoration (Revelation 4:11; 5:12-14). This emphasis on Jesus’ worthiness underscores his unique and supreme place in the universe.
14. Jesus is revealed as the one who brings healing: In Revelation 22:2, it says that in the new Jerusalem, there will be a river of the water of life, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and on either side of the river will be the tree of life, which yields its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. This imagery emphasizes Jesus’ role as the one who brings wholeness and restoration to all things.
15. Jesus is revealed as the one who is faithful and true: In Revelation 3:14, Jesus is described as the “faithful and true witness,” and in Revelation 19:11, he is described as the one who is “faithful and true.” This emphasis on Jesus’ faithfulness underscores his trustworthiness and reliability as a guide and leader.
16. Jesus is revealed as the Conqueror: In Revelation 5:5, Jesus is described as the Lion of Judah who has triumphed, and in Revelation 19:11-16, he is depicted as the one riding a white horse, leading the armies of heaven to victory. This portrayal emphasizes Jesus’ power and authority over all enemies.
17. Jesus is revealed as the one who brings hope: Throughout the book of Revelation, there are numerous references to the ultimate victory of God’s kingdom and the hope that this victory brings. This emphasis on hope reminds us that, no matter what challenges we may face in life, we can trust in the ultimate triumph of God’s plan.

The book of Revelation is a unique and powerful work that reveals Jesus Christ in various ways. Its primary focus is on revealing who Jesus is and what he has accomplished through his life, death, and resurrection. Throughout the book, Jesus is portrayed in different roles and functions that emphasize his divinity, power, and love for his people. The imagery and symbols used in Revelation are intended to reveal several aspects of who Jesus is and what he has done for humanity. The book of Revelation reveals Jesus as the exalted Son of God, the saviour of humanity, and the conquering king who will triumph over evil and establish his kingdom on earth.

The Mark(s) of the Good News.

1 Corinthians 15: 1-5 “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the good news I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this good news you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that the Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Ephesians 1:13 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in the Messiah Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in the Messiah Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”

Romans 8:9 “However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit…”

2 Corinthians 3:14 “… because only in the Messiah the veil is remove.”

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”