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Jesus Christ, the Bearer of Sin
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe prophecies of Jesus Christ, as seen in Isaiah 53, reveal the profound suffering He would endure for humanity's sake. Isaiah 53:4-6 foretells that He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, being wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed. The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all, mirroring the ritual of the azazel in Leviticus 16, where the high priest laid the sins of Israel on the goat to bear them into the wilderness. Isaiah 53:11-12 further prophesies that by His knowledge, My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities, and He poured out His soul unto death, being numbered with the transgressors and bearing the sin of many. Additionally, I Peter 2:24 confirms that He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, enduring extreme suffering, shame, reproach, anguish, and piercing during those hours, that we might live for righteousness. This bearing of sin was not merely a legal act but a real, physical, and emotional ordeal. Galatians 3:13 states that Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the law by hanging on the tree, fulfilling the dreadful role of the azazel. Hebrews 13:12 notes that He suffered outside the gate, akin to the azazel being led outside the camp, emphasizing that His sacrifice involved prolonged agony while bearing our transgressions in His body.
The Birth of Jesus Christ (Part One): Annunciation
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe prophecies of Jesus Christ, as conveyed through the angel Gabriel, hold profound significance in revealing the divine purpose of His birth. Gabriel speaks to Mary, announcing that she has found favor with God and will bear a Son named Jesus, meaning Savior, fulfilling ancient Messianic prophecies. Drawing from Isaiah 7:14, the angel declares that a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son called Immanuel, meaning God with us, emphasizing that God Himself will be present through this Child. Additionally, Gabriel echoes Isaiah 9:6-7, underscoring the extraordinary nature of this birth and the Child's role in God's plan. To Joseph, Gabriel confirms that Mary's Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, will be named Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins, and He will be known as God with us, aligning with the prophetic promises. These divine messages highlight the fulfillment of Scripture and the sovereign preparation by God for the arrival of His Son, destined to bring salvation.
Jesus' Final Human Thoughts (Part One)
Article by StaffThe prophecies of Jesus Christ reveal profound insights into His final hours as a human being. According to Isaiah 53:11, He shall see the travail of His soul and be satisfied, and by His knowledge, My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. Jesus knew the exact timing of His suffering, understanding that to fulfill all things, His torture and execution must occur during the Passover Day in the year referred to as AD 31, and that He must be dead and entombed as that day drew to its close. Isaiah 53 also foretells that Jesus is despised and rejected, a reality that extends across generations, showing that He has been rejected by all of mankind. Additionally, Isaiah 53:8 prophesies that Jesus would be cut off from the land of the living, separated from His human brothers and sisters whose sins caused His suffering and death, and more painfully, cut off from communication with His perfect, loving, and eternal Father.
Why Is Christ, the Son, Called 'the Everlasting Father' (Isaiah 9:6)?
Bible Questions & AnswersFor unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. This prophecy points to Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the promised Son of God, bearing the title Everlasting Father among others. The God of the Old Testament, identified as Christ, fulfilled the role of Father to Israel by redeeming them from slavery in Egypt, creating them, and founding them as a nation. In Jeremiah 31:9, He speaks of a future time when Israel will repent, affirming that He will be a Father to Israel, with Ephraim as His firstborn. This relationship will endure throughout eternity as He returns to establish His world-ruling government, truly embodying the title Everlasting Father.
Jesus' Final Human Thoughts (Part Two)
Article by StaffDuring His final hours, Jesus Christ was deeply aware of the prophecies concerning His suffering and separation from His Father. He fulfilled a prophecy from Psalm 22:1 by crying out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" as He hung on the stake, marking the peak of the agony He and His Father had foreknown and planned. This utterance, even in His delirium, was rooted in His own inspired Word, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to the divine plan. Additionally, prophetic verses inspired through David depict the human Jesus sinking under the weight of the world's sins, enduring immense physical and emotional strain while waiting for reunification with His Father. Jesus bore this agony with the knowledge that He must complete His human journey, as foretold, to achieve the ultimate purpose of His sacrifice. Throughout His trials, He remained resolute, aware that the Scriptures of the prophets must be fulfilled, as He affirmed to His disciples that all events transpired to accomplish what had been written.
Jesus' Sufferings on Passover
CGG Weekly by Ronny H. GrahamThe sequence of events that took place on Passover, from Jesus' arrest through His death, was orchestrated so we could appreciate what God did for us.
The First Prophecy (Part One)
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis is a book of beginnings, and in that theme, it also contains the first prophecy. Part of it is God's curse on the serpent in Genesis 3:14-15.
Prophecy's Place
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughStudying prophecy is good, but doctrine and Christian living are far more necessary and helpful to our practicing and growing in God's way of life now.
Scripture Fulfilled in Christ's Death
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFour distinct Old Testament Messianic prophecies were fulfilled by Christ's death and cited by the Apostle John.
Jesus Disqualified?
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughSome say Christ cannot be the Messiah because of His genealogy. Here is why this argument is fallacious and why Jesus IS our Savior!
Christ's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus perfectly fulfilled the Old Testament types, slain as the Passover Lamb, resurrected with the cutting of the wavesheaf, and ascended to His Father at the time of the waving of the sheaf.
Was Jesus Resurrected on Easter Sunday?
'Ready Answer' by StaffWhen did Jesus rise from the tomb? The world - because of tradition - says Sunday, but the Bible reveals the only possible timing of His resurrection.
Christian Optimism
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul wrote some of his most optimistic letters from prison, under the possibility of execution, but absolutely convinced that ultimate victory was imminent.
Announcing . . . Christ's Birth!
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe blending of paganism with inspired Scripture has degraded and obscured the meaning and glory of what happened in the announcement of Jesus Christ's birth.
David the Prophet
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughAmong his many other accomplishments, King David was a significant prophet. Psalm 22, for example, is a clearly recognizable prophecy of Christ's suffering.
No Private Interpretation
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughPeter warns that prophecy is not 'of any private interpretation.' Wild or self-serving speculating, as Judas Iscariot did, can lead to grave consequences.
The Branch
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Branch is a well-known Old Testament prophetic figure, identified as the Messiah by most people. Yet, is there more to it than that? What does it mean to us?
You Are My Witnesses That I Am God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist's trial and crucifixion were not historical accidents; rather, God prophesied both events in minute detail in Old Testament scriptures.
Until the Kingdom
Sermonette by Bill OnisickJesus' statement, 'I will not drink of this fruit of the vine ... until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom" looks like a contradiction.
'Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive . . .'
'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. RitenbaughTo some, the virgin birth is a major teaching, but it is only one of several signs that prove Jesus is the Messiah. Its major purpose is not to glorify Mary.
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Eight): Hebrews 1
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughHebrews 1 delivers a knock-out punch to skeptics like many first-century Jews who claimed He falls short in qualifying as our High Priest and Savior.
John (Part Four)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe apostle John has provided at least eight separate forms of witness, establishing the veracity of Jesus Christ's identity as God in the flesh.
Matthew (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughTrue greatness does not come from dominance but from serving with the attitude of a slave. Willingness to sacrifice self is the secret to success.
To Do Your Will, O God!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe necessity for Christ's death stems from God's holiness and absolute intolerance of sin and His obligation to judge righteously.
Joseph of Arimathea
Article by Mike FordJoseph of Arimathea has always been a shadowy figure among the well-known personages of the Bible. Here is clarity on this important disciple's life.
Recognizing the Second Witness
Article by Charles WhitakerJesus Christ has and will make a witness in His two advents. Will we devoutly accept Him or reject Him because He does not fit our preconceptions?
'After Three Days'
Booklet by Richard T. RitenbaughA scriptural explanation of the time of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, showing that He died on a Wednesday and rose from the dead on the Sabbath.
Do We Need the Old Testament?
'Ready Answer' by John ReissHere are five significant reasons why Christians should consider the Old Testament to be just as valuable and necessary to their salvation as the New.
The Shout of a King
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe prophecy in which the daughter of Jerusalem must shout to her king riding on a donkey was fulfilled when Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem.
God the Father in the Old Testament
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Hebrew Scriptures reveal the existence of the Father. Deuteronomy 6:4 refers to God as one, signifying unity of purpose and identical character.
A House Left Desolate
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod is a God of mercy, but He has a stiff core of justice which will not be placated unless we repent. To whom much has been given, much will be required.
The Two Witnesses (Part One)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod wants us to recognize prophecies as they occur or shortly afterward. To cling to an interpretation before the events happen leads to missing vital details.
John (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ remained totally in control of the events of His trial, including His own prediction that He would be crucified under Roman law.
Cain's Assumption (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeIs it possible Cain saw himself as the great protagonist, the conqueror of Satan—even the Savior of the world? Did Cain literally have a "Messiah complex"?