Christ the Centre of the Bible.

[Marilyn C]

The next section in the New Testament, from Ephesians to 2 Thessalonians, brings out our standing in Christ.

EPHESIANS

All spiritual blessings are in Christ, our acceptance is in the Beloved, in whom we have redemption, forgiveness, an inheritance, & `the eternal purposed is purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.` (Eph. 3: 11)

The spiritual significance of the 12 loaves of the showbread table is revealed as Christ the Bread of Life.

PHILIPPIANS

From the highest station of sovereignty, `the form of God,` He descended to the lowest state of submission, `the form of a bond servant.` And although He made Himself of no reputation in His humanity, He is now entitled to a name above every name, (Phil. 2: 6 – 10)

This self – abnegating service is a sweet savour to God & is represented in the incense altar, (Phil. 4: 18)

COLOSSIANS

This is the one who has the preeminence in all things, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom & knowledge, for in Him dwells all the fullness of Godhead bodily. And because we are in Him we are filled to completion. So when Christ who is our life shall appear, we shall appear with Him in glory, (Col. 1: 18, 2: 3, 9, 10, 3: 4)

The ark of the covenant had its crown of gold expressing sovereignty,

• A mercy seat, sympathy
• The rod that budded & pot of manna, sufficiency of Christ`s priesthood in resurrection.

1 & 2 THESSALONIANS

In the light of our Lord`s wonderful character we can look with hopeful expectancy His coming descent from heaven. The word of the Lord affirms it, (1 Thess 4: 14 – 18)

• The veil which is His flesh, in which we expect Him to be manifested.

Marilyn.

 

[Marilyn C]

In the next section from 1 Timothy to John we read of Christ`s indwelling the life of a believer. He is our strength, He is our life. The very character of Christ supplies the strength to become mature in Him, through His indwelling presence.


1 & 2 TIMOTHY

The letters to Timothy give instruction for personal, godly living, & sanctified service: the secret of the ability is to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (1 Tim.3: 15, 2 Tim. 2: 1) The indweller is `the blessed & only Potentate, the King of kings, & Lord of lords.` (1 Tim. 6: 15)

TITUS

In Titus, Christ makes possible purity of life, honesty of heart & integrity of purpose. All activity is looking to the radiant hope of His return.

PHILEMON

Philemon shows that the strength of His grace begets a spirit of tender, compassion toward others.

HEBREWS

Hebrews presents the majestic character of the indweller, unchanging & constant. The very outflowing of the divine glory & creator is the one who purged our sins, & makes us perfect to do the Father`s will.

JAMES

In James, Christ as the wisdom of God, enables us to do our practical duty with humility.

1 & 2 PETER

In Peter`s messages, the Lord is shown as the one who suffered in all relationships of life & who strengthens us to follow Him, having called us out of darkness into His glorious light.


1, 2, 3 JOHN

John dwells on the family features of the children of God, made possible through Christ. Our human capacities require visibilities. We cannot grasp the abstract, the absolute, the infinite relative to the Deity. We need someone to look at, speak to, go to, hear tell of His divine love. God the Father entrusted His Son to display & declare His love to mankind in person, & this He did most wonderfully.

Marilyn.

 

[Marilyn C]

JUDE

Jude is a summary of the 64 books that have gone before it. This is to prepare us for the final unveiling of Jesus Christ. There are 10 of the characters, & cities from the Pentateuch & includes over 40 of the great truths, titles & teachings of the New Testament.

• God, the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Saviour, Salvation, grace, mercy, peace, faith, love, life eternal, power, majesty, dominion glory, the Apostles…..

In contrast to the saints, the ungodly are described & destined for judgment & blackness of darkness forever.

Christ reduced the 611 precepts of the law down to two commandments. But far more amazing is the fact that the Lord God has given us the sum total of His eternal Word in a single Person. Thus we look forward to His unveiling by God the Father.


Marilyn.

 

[Marilyn C]

REVELATION

The predominant aim of Revelation is the setting forth the splendours of the Son of Man, & to reveal His glorious person. There are four visions of the Son of Man as He is known in the heavenly realm & each vision in turn carries through to completion one aspect of the fourfold ministry of Christ which He exercised when on earth. His Kinship was expressed in Matthew, His Heirship in Mark, His Mediatorship in Luke, & His Judgeship in John.
Vision 1.. CHRIST - Head of the Body. (Rev. 1 – 3)

This reveals the empowered Son of Man as the Sovereign Administrator.
`in His right hand He held 7 stars.`


Vision 2.CHRIST - HEIR[SIZE=14pt] (Rev. 4 – 7)[/SIZE]

This reveals the enthroned Son of Man as the Supreme Executor.
`in His right hand He held the 7 sealed book.`


Vision 3.CHRIST - MEDIATOR[SIZE=14pt] (Rev. 8 – 13)[/SIZE]

This reveals the exalted Son of Man as the Stately Mediator.
`in His hand is a sacred censor.`


Vision 4.CHRIST - JUDGE[SIZE=14pt] (Rev. 14 – 22)[/SIZE]

This reveals the entitled Son of Man as the Sublime Adjudicator.
`in His hand is a sharp sickle.`


To reveal Christ to us in Revelation, there are 330 references to the figures, shadows, symbols, types, patterns, persons, & buildings of the Old Testament.

This unveiling is the culmination of all the truths expressed from Genesis to Revelation, for all scripture is centred on one purpose and that is to reveal Christ to us in all His Glory.