The Christ Of Christmas

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus In Every Chapter
Date: Friday, December 25, 2015
Chapters: Revelation 3-5
Message Title: The Christ Of Christmas

Hello My Friend,

Did you ever watch Santa Claus Is Coming To Town? It's a classic Christmas cartoon that I have watched since I was little. When Nicholas decided he could only deliver Christmas gifts once a year, he chose the holiest day of the year, Christmas Eve. Now, I am not one of those people who tell you that Santa is Satan, because he is not, nor that you shouldn't celebrate Christmas because it's a pagan holiday. That's ridiculous, if anyone ever took the time to learn who Nicholas was, they would see that he was an ordinary Christian man, who gave gifts to orphans on Christmas Eve (early Christmas morning). As we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. After all, there would not be a Christmas if not for Christ. “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.” - Luke 2:10-12.

I always find it ironic that we study the end of the world during a time that celebrates the birth of the only man who could save us from the end of the world, but think about this, it is His death that was more important than His birth. Now, as Jesus continues telling John what to write in His letters to the seven churches of Asia, He has something quite different to say to the church in Philadelphia. It was seated between the borders of Mysia and Lydia, a very small church, it would probably seem weak and worthless as far as the world was concerned, but Jesus commended them for their strength, gave them an assurance that their labor was not in vain, but also gave them a warning.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” - Revelation 3:7-12.

“I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,” As the days draw closer of Christ returning, you see, the devil is working overtime to get as many Christians as he can diverted away from the truth and caught up in the world. It is only by the power of Christ in us and walking with Him daily that we can overcome his temptations. We fall into temptation when we take our eyes off Christ. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” - James 2:12-15.

There are many churches that talk about Christ and boast of all they do for God and people, but they are dead, meaning they are living by the Gospel or teaching it. Very few people who are brought up in false religion will receive Christ because they are trusting in what their religion tells them, but make no mistake, every knee will bow. After Jesus instructs John what to write to the churches, He gave him another vision.

“And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” - Revelation 4:4-7.

“And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:” This is of course Jesus. Jasper, a stone of dazzling brilliance and colors, Sardine (sardius) stone, a stone of a blood-red color, these represent the splendor, holiness, judgments, and sacrifices of the only God and King, Jesus Christ. The rainbow, of course represents the covenant of promise which God has made with all His people. The emerald, represents the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. Twenty-four seats around the throne, were filled with twenty-four elders, representing the entire church of God. Their sitting around the throne represents the honor, rest, and enjoyment they have in being near Him. They were clothed in white, the color of righteousness, in which all His saints will be adorned. They also had on their heads crowns of gold, signifying the crown of life they received for their obedience to receiving Him. Christians will face a lot of trials over the years, but they too will receive a crown. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4:8.

All who remain faithful to Jesus no matter what they face, and this includes times when all we have is the strength to say "Help Me, Jesus" can find comfort and peace as they patiently await for things to come to pass. Jesus will come in the blink of an eye and all whom have put their faith and trust in Him will be saved from all the deceitfulness and wickedness that Satan is going to place upon the people of the world. Then John sees something even more amazing, a book, a book that no one in heaven or earth can open, except Jesus Christ.

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” - Revelation 5:1-5,8-10.

“behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda,” Christ is the only one worthy to open the book that controls the fate of all mankind. He receives the praises of the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, and afterwards an innumerable multitude of His people acknowledging they were redeemed through His blood. The whole creation, worshiped Him, giving honor, glory, and power to God and the Lamb for ever. One day, every knee will bow and confess Jesus as King, but only those who are redeemed with His blood will sing a new song. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” - Romans 14:11,12.

Today's Prayer: God, Every where we go people are always trying to get us to doubt Your Son or compromise our living for You in order to suit their needs. Lord, give us the strength to endure these trials and all the circumstances we face as we live our lives for You, and give us Your wisdom and power to endure temptations and those trying to divert us away from You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you, and Merry Christmas
Christina

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