Christians are the Kingdom Property of Jesus Christ

Sealed

Ephesians 1-12-13(KJV)
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

What does it mean to be “sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise?”

What is the “earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession?”

Highlighting certain aspects of this most wonderful Church epistle of Ephesians which declares to the saints (the sanctified ones) The Fathers Great Love to us who BELIEVE!

When God’s Word tells us we were “sealed” it is the Greek word “sphragizo” which means to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret or to attest.

This word “sphragizo” comes from the word “sphragis” which is a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally and figuratively.

The scrptures shows us that what we were sealed with or that the down payment is the holy spirit of promise. And that this holy spirit of promise is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.

The Word here in Ephesians tells us that we were sealed or stamped with a signet or a protective mark for security or preservation or that we are fenced in or protected from misappropriation by a stamp as a mark of privacy or genuineness which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.

The word “earnest” is the Greek word “arrhabon” which is a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase money or property given in advance as security for the rest. In our time it is a down payment on a purchase or what is commonly called ‘earnest money’ in real estate for a house or property which you are in the process of buying.

When we first trusted in Jesus Christ after that we heard the good news or the gospel of our salvation, the scripture declare that we were buried with Him by baptism into His death (Romans 6:4) and then raised again together with Him to walk in newness of life.

The newness of life (Christ in you the hope of glory) is our spiritual inheritance, or a sort of spiritual DNA we received when we were sealed with the holy spirit of promise. The gift of holy spirit is our spiritual endowment which enables us to walk supernaturally in order to be changed into the image of Christ. This may also be stated as taking upon ourselves the form of Christ in our every day actions.

The true work of the gift ministries to the body of Christ is to labor and travail in birth (Galatians 4:19) until Christ be formed in the saints. This apparent impossibility may only be accomplished by the power of the gift of the holy spirit energized within us by faith so that we may be filled to overflowing in order to manifest any or all if the nine manifestations of
(I Corinthians 12:1-13).

Paul told the Galatians that he labored and travailed in birth until Christ be formed in them.

Today all around the world we desperately need true ministers of Christ to be laboring and travailing in birth until Christ be formed in the members of the body of Christ.

We (The church) have been equipped by God by way of His gift to share the gospel or the good news that Jesus Christ the Lamb of God has taken away the sins (past, present and future) of the world.

Hebrews 10:26-29 clearly states that any who have received the knowledge of the truth (the gospel or Good News!) and refuse to accept Him by willfully rejecting The Lord Jesus as the only acceptable sacrifice for their sins have only a certain fearful looking for of judgment.

Heb 10:26-29

This is the Good News! All those who will come to Him and confess His name shall be saved. Again the Word of God states that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Hebrews tells us that He, Christ became our High Priest of good things to come not by the earthly tabernacle, which was made with hands but by a greater and more perfect tabernacle.

Christ did not enter into the Holy of Holies here on earth to sprinkle the blood of bulls and goats, but He entered in once and for all into the Holy of Holies in heaven to sprinkle His own precious blood on the Mercy seat.

Heb 9:11-14

Heb 9:24-28

What great news we have to share with the people of this world! Especially now when we are surrounded with so much darkness and despair we can truly be the lights of the world holding forth the word of life.

Beloved I will leave you with this:

Phil 2:5-16

To God be the Glory through His Son Jesus Christ forever and ever Amen.

Kingdom Call To Prayer

Communion

This week, leading up to Resurrection Sunday, I’d like to take a few moments to share some things I have learned about Communion.

Jesus Christ asked us to keep in remembrance his broken body and shed blood.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 New International Version (NIV)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

A question I sometimes get is “Should I take the Lord’s Supper? I feel so unworthy.”

Oh yes! My friend we are all unworthy! All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

We all have missed the mark and we all need His forgiveness and healing.

We need to remember and freely receive all He has done for us. Forgiveness of sin in the past, present and future – and the consequences of that sin, which is sickness and death.

The broken body is for the healing of our bodies.

So when you eat of the bread remember it is for your healing.

We have a new life and a new covenant to walk in.

Thank Him for His selfless sacrifice and accept the victory over sin and its consequences that he has given us.

Please email kingdomliving09@gmail.com if you plan to participate in prayer, worship and communion. I’d love to hear from you.

Brother Frank

DISCOVERING THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST “AS HE IS” TODAY By Frank J Manasseri

In our quest to learn more about the King of the Kingdom of God we must embark on a quest to discover the Lord Jesus Christ “As He Is Today.” Therefore I submit the following series for our prayerful and thoughtful consideration of the scriptures.

The following is submitted by the author not as a completed work but as a journey in progress. This quest to personally know Jesus Christ “As He Is” may take a lifetime, and one must be willing to be open to new information based upon truth of scripture alone and not speculation, feelings or experiences.

DISCOVERING THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST “AS HE IS” TODAY
By Frank J Manasseri

INTRODUCTION

This is a Biblical study of the plan of salvation, which after the counsel of His own Will, the Father God, along with His only begotten Son, set in motion before the foundations of this world.

The goal of this work is to present information that will be both challenging and enlightening concerning Jesus Christ (The Messiah). What is written in the following pages may challenge some traditional theology in such a way that it will encourage the reader to join the ranks of those noble Berean’s who after hearing the scriptures, “searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11 (KJV)

THE REVEALING OF THE CHRIST

Today many are seeking to learn more about this Jesus of Nazareth who claimed to be the Son of the True God. During the days of His earthly ministry, Jesus presented a challenge to His disciples when He asked them, “Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?”

There was a significant purpose for His inquiry. This one simple question provoked a response that unleashed a revelation from heaven concerning the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The Lord desired to know what the people were saying about who He was, but of more importance to Him, He desired to know who the disciples believed He was. Why was this so imperative? Why didn’t the Lord just simply announce who He was to everyone? Jesus knew He was the Christ, the Son of the living God, and He certainly did not need any man to confirm or validate this truth. He knew that only the Father could truly reveal the Son and that only the Son could truly reveal the Father .

In this revelation from heaven one may begin to develop an intimacy with Him, for what one thinks of Jesus Christ is the most singularly important factor for those who deeply desire to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him and to know Him “AS HE IS” today.

In this record some thought He was John the Baptist, while some thought He was Elias, Jeremiah or some other prophet that had been reincarnated. Opinions have not changed much since the time when the Lord Jesus asked this question of His disciples. Even today, individuals still have a myriad of opinions as to who they think Jesus of Nazareth is.

Many so-called Biblical scholars hold symposiums designed to share information, in-sights and opinions hoping to find the answers to who Jesus really is. By the confession of their mouths they speak and declare who they think He is. Their conclusions are like the opinions recorded in this section of scripture – some are correct, and some are wrong.

Why is it so important to the Lord that people accurately know who He is? The proper answer to this question will determine the quality of an individual’s personal relationship with Him. If one thinks He is just one of the many prophets or just another holy man, then the relationship will not be based on truth. However if one accepts, as Peter did, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, then this relationship is built upon the solid rock of truth.

The Father God’s love for mankind was and is continually manifested through His only begotten Son. The selfless life of sacrifice and service of Jesus the Christ is plainly illustrated as we journey through the pages of the Bible. The Son of God declared the Father to His followers and to all those who would listen.

To be continued …

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.””Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”( Mark 1:14, 15).

The birth of The Christ was first announced in Judea. (Luke 1:30-33)

The Shepherds in the fields tending their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem heard and saw the angels fill the skies proclaiming the birth of Christ. (Luke 2:8-18)

Forty days after His birth when Mary and Joseph took the baby to the Temple in Jerusalem where Simeon and Anna testified to His divinity. (Luke 2:22-39)

When Jesus was about two years old the Magi bearing gifts had come to Jerusalem in search of the King of the Jews. They did not find Him in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) but in a house in Nazareth.(Luke 2:39-40)

When Jesus of Nazareth was 12 years old He was in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions (Luke 2:46-47).

“Jerusalem and all Judea” had heard the preaching of John the Baptist; and the official rejection from the Sanhedrin, with the multitude, had heard his testimony concerning Jesus.

In Judea, Christ called His first disciples and much of His early ministry was centered on and around the Sea of Galilee.

Christ demonstrated of His divinity in the cleansing of the temple, His miracles of healing, and the lessons of divine truth which He spoke, all proclaimed that which He had declared before the Sanhedrin, His Son ship to the Eternal Father.

Israel was chosen by the Father to receive the first oracles of the Word of God, (Romans 3:1-2). Therefore Jesus of Nazareth was first sent to the House of Israel to announce that the Kingdom of God was at hand.

If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have honored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. To them first was given the opportunity to become heralds of God’s Kingdom and grace.

This announcement that the Kingdom of God is at hand was rejected by the religious leaders of Israel and the Sanhedrin. Clearly, Israel was officially given the opportunity to accept the responsibility of declaring the Kingdom to the world but Israel knew not the day of their visitation. Luke 19:41-44.

Israel missed their visitation because they were spiritually blinded by the leadership of the Pharisees. Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees warning them by saying “Your House is left unto you desolate.” (Luke 13:35) (Matthew 23:38) (Luke 21:5-38).

Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they rejected Him and the message of the Kingdom of God. He knew the misery and extreme tribulation that would come upon Israel during that generation. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple occurred as prophesied by Christ in 64AD. Matthew 23:34-36) (Luke 19:44)

Jesus departed from Jerusalem, from the priests, the temple, the religious leaders, the people who had been instructed in the law, and turned to others who would commit to proclaiming His message of the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all nations.

The Apostles were chosen by Christ to follow Him. After His resurrection from the dead, He spent 40 days teaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:1-3)

On the day of Pentecost the Apostles were endued with Power from on High and became witnesses of Him (Acts 14-9) (Acts 2:1-3) and they began to preach and teach others how to become citizens of the Kingdom of God and live a kingdom lifestyle. (Acts 2:42-47)

Jesus of Nazareth taught how to pray and live in the Kingdom of God.

I believe there are pro-active positive, scripture based solutions to the many problems our nation and the world are facing as we move into the future.

Some will not accept and prepare, others will say we will hear you again later, however others will listen and embrace scripture based solutions that will bring Heaven’s Kingdom blessings upon them. Notice I said Heaven’s Kingdom blessings and not the establishment of God’s kingdom upon the earth.

The institution of both the Millennial Kingdom and God’s final kingdom will occur at some unknown future time. However until these thing s take place, the blessings of the kingdom of God of a coming Age has the power to reach back to this present evil age and touch the lives of those who by faith seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Faith is needed in order to see the kingdom of God because for now the kingdom is invisible. Therefore by faith we see what our natural eyes cannot see.

This faith I speak of here is only available to those who have been born again from above as it is not available to the unregenerate natural man. Therefore the natural man cannot see or even perceive the kingdom of God. This is why Jesus of Nazareth the Son of God was born into this world . . . to teach and show us by His example what the kingdom of God is and how to become a citizen of this kingdom.

When Jesus taught the disciples “How” to pray He said, “Our Father.”

We pray, communicate; talk to and acknowledge not a distant god but Our Father who is in Heaven. This is powerful, personal, and intimate!
“Hallowed be thy name.”

We acknowledge Him by giving Him all glory all honor and all praise.

“Thy Kingdom come”

We are to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and we have been given the authority to invoke His kingdom’s power and blessings on earth until the Age comes when Christ sets up the Kingdom of God physically upon Earth.”

“On Earth as it is in Heaven.”

It is interesting the goal of many churches is to help people get to “Heaven.” This seems to be opposite of the Lord’s goal which is to get “Heaven to come to earth.”

We are to look with anticipation for The Lord’s government for our solutions, and not to man’s government. Especially if the people running the government are not acting according to the truth of God’s Word. Bur when His government is established by Him upon the earth, He alone will rule over the entire Globe.
I personally believe part of our responsibilities as God’s Children is to follow the example of Jesus of Nazareth to be going about “Our Fathers Business.” This begins with preaching the “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God” which includes the “Gospel of Salvation.” Preaching does not necessarily include standing before thousands but many times it is simply sharing the good news of the remedy (Kingdom) for this fallen earth

“Give us this day our daily bread”

The Father knows we have needs even before we ask Him. He provides for the birds that do not sow, reap nor do they store up into barns. This is a beautiful picture The Lord painted with words to illustrate to us “How” Our Father will provide for those who “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness”.

“And forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

This is the part of the Kingdom attitude we are to have as “Kingdom Citizens.” Jesus taught the Eight Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. Notice these are Be Attitudes and not Do Attitudes, meaning these are the attitudes a Kingdom Citizens should endeavor to live by in the way they treat others.
The very first beatitude is one of being “Poor in Spirit” or having the attitude of true humility. How can we expect forgiveness if we will not forgive?

“Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Matthew 6:13 (K J V)13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

James 1:13 (King James Version)
13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

The Heavenly Father does not tempt us with evil; however He does deliver us from evil. Our Father does not lead us into temptation in order to test us to see if we will resist temptation or not.

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Lord Jesus closes His instruction of “How” to pray by teaching His disciples to again to submit by acknowledging the Fathers Kingdom, Power and Glory!

The message of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is what I have come to believe was the main focus of the Lord’s mission while living on the earth. His main mission was to preach the Kingdom of God is at hand and then to teach others who responded on “How” to become a Kingdom Citizen and to live in this world as a Kingdom Citizen in the attitudes (Be Attitudes) of the Kingdom of God.

If we can learn to live as Jesus lived and also taught others to live we can again be blessed by God with His Kingdom Blessing. By living this way we will be blessed (happy) and prepared to be with the Lord during His Millennium Kingdom and beyond.

The Cross and the Kingdom

The Cross and the Kingdom

Revelation 13:8-9

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Everything the Father has done for mankind since the creation will culminate when His Kingdom is established on earth. The New Jerusalem, will come to earth and God’s righteousness will rule forever.

This all began at the Cross.

Those of us who have believed in and put our trust in Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the Messiah are now citizens of His coming Kingdom. We have the promise of Jesus Christ that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness all things we need in this life will be supplied to us. We may not always get what we ask, but we are promised our needs or daily bread will be supplied by the Father’s provision.

So then the ultimate Plan of God will be fulfilled at the culmination of this present evil age when His Kingdom is established on earth. At that time those who are citizens will have eternal life and live in His Kingdom in a lifestyle which the world has been clamoring for, but are not able to achieve.

A question one might ask is where does this Kingdom life begin and who is this Kingdom for?

I believe the Kingdom life begins at the Cross of Jesus Christ. I believe the Kingdom life is available for all men and women who accept God’s grace, and mercy, of the gift of salvation.

With this said, I would like to share my personal story with you:

About twenty years ago my manner of life brought me to the place where I was confronted with the reality of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

Something happened that day that changed my life forever.

I was alone at home and had come to the conclusion that even though I wanted to serve Jesus Christ, I could not because in all honesty I was still a sinner. I was well aware of my shortcomings and struggles and was ready to throw in the towel and quit trying to serve Him.

This is when I began getting a deep agonizing feeling in my gut, or as the Apostle Paul would say in my “bowels.” Like I said, I so wanted to serve the Lord but I knew I was still a sinner. Therefore I concluded that I could not do anything for Him. This deep feeling was so strong that it felt as if my gut was going to burst at the seams. I began to realize there was a battle going on within myself. I was lying flat out on my living room floor and telling the Lord with tears I could not serve him due to the weakness of my flesh. Then suddenly a scripture flashed in my mind. “Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death?”

Immediately another thought quickly followed indicating that Paul was a spiritual man trapped inside a sinful body, and that whenever he desired to do good, evil was present in him. Paul was trapped and he realized that within his flesh was dwelling no good thing.

It was then I realized that Paul at one time felt similar to the way I was. After contemplating this, I finally came to understand that as long as I am alive sin would be dwelling in my flesh. I also realized that in Christ I was given a power to exercise dominion over this evil.

When I was saved I was given a gift of holy spirit which is the spirit that has the power to overcome the sin dwelling in my flesh. This may also be called the spirit of obedience.

I began to see that through what Christ accomplished on the Cross I was given the power to overcome sin and given the ability to serve my Lord.

Now I could serve Him even in my imperfection.
Now Grace made strong in my weaknesses.
Now Grace is an ever present unmerited divine favor.
Now Grace is power given by Christ which is sufficient for me to overcome the infirmities in my flesh.

Then suddenly as if in a dream I found myself at the foot of the cross at Calvary. In my mind’s eye this was as real to me as if I were watching a movie with all its color and sound.

There I was laying stretched out with my arms wrapped around the foot of the cross sobbing. As I looked up I saw His bruised and bloodied feet, and the rusty nail that had been cruelly driven through them.

As I clung to the cross I slowly lifted my head and looked higher until I saw His legs which showed the marks of the cuts caused by the whips. They were badly bruised with the blood running down and dripping on my face.

I began to weep as I heard the wind howling and saw the low hanging ominous dark clouds blocking out the sun. The wind and dust in what seemed like a crazed frenzy blowing around the place of the skull. Some of the bystanders stared at Him while some wept uncontrollably.

There He was my Lord hanging helpless. His life almost gone from His body. He had been brutalized and mangled beyond recognition. His bones were out of joint and parts of His ribs were exposed. It looked as if there was not any place on his body that was not bruised or broken, or torn. The wound made by a soldiers spear in His side was open and oozing out both blood and water. I saw Him struggle to take each breath, while some people spit on Him and called Him names.

With my eyes, now flooded with tears, began to look higher until I saw His head hung to one side with the thorns insisting on digging deep into His bloodied scalp. His face was bruised and swollen, worse than any boxer I had ever seen after a brutal fight. His left eye was swollen shut, and His right eye was barely visible.

All this seemingly happening before my very eyes and not realizing that I was in a position of prayer called obeisance with my arms stretched around the base of the cross with His blood drops falling on my face.

Then He took one last deep painful breath. Just then His almost shut right eye caught my eyes and I realized He was looking at me with a pure love, forgiveness, and acceptance. No matter what I had done to sin against God and humanity before He loved me.

Suddenly He cried, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Then came His last words.

“It is finished!”

Suddenly the labored breathing which caused Him excruciating pain stopped. He offered up His live as a sacrifice to the Father.

His head fell limp.

He was dead!

Then as they slowly and carefully took Him down from the cross, I could hear some say, “Will He rise again in three days as He said He would?”

Three days later He arose from the dead and He is still alive today active in the affairs of men. He is still calling all who will believe in His name and saving and forgiving all of their transgressions committed against God and man.

As took this all in I was filled with the most relieved emotion I had ever felt before. A flood of peace came over me as any doubts of being able to serve Him were now washed away and gone!

I was cleansed by His precious blood.

I was empowered by His grace.

In this moment of time that I spent on my living room floor, I realized without a doubt that I had been to the cross where my Lord Jesus Christ was crucified.

I cannot explain this occurrence but it is real to me. Now I am able to serve Him because His willing sacrificial death paid the full payment for all my sins. And not only my sins but yours also and the sins of the entire world.

Now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am His and He is mine! He is my Lord and my savior and He is my King.

Nothing will ever be able to separate me from Him ever again.

Without the Cross of Christ there is no forgiveness of sin and there would be no Kingdom coming in the future.

Without the Cross of Christ all mankind would be still lost and doomed to misery.

Praise the Father Who sent His only begotten Son to usher in eternal life and His coming Kingdom.

The New Year of 2016 is Coming

Dear friends and members of this group.

I  wish you all a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year in 2016. Yes 2015 is fading fast and a New Year, filled with all the promises of God, is rapidly approaching. Many of us still enjoy the liberty and freedom to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God with others around us.
Others of you from various countries around the globe may not enjoy this freedom, but still you share the good news of the kingdom of God.

Because of your love and concern for the souls of others who are not yet a part of this kingdom, many are being invited by your words and lives to enter into the kingdom that our Lord Jesus of Nazareth commissioned that we should herald (preach) like a watchman to others who still live in spiritual darkness without God, and without hope in this world.

This is what Christ proclaimed that He was anointed to do in Isaiah 61:1-3.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (KJV)
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Now because we have Christ in us we also share in this powerful anointing to share the Gospel of the Kingdom in what ever manner you are inspired to.

Therefore let us decide to make a concentrated effort to do as the Lord Himself has asked us to do – to spread the Good News.

I received a report from WordPress that we have reached followers in 24 countries around the world through this Blog. Some of which are in the Middle East living in Islamic countries such as Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.

Followers in Germany, Great Britain, Italy, France and Ireland have been touched along with Venezuela, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia.

Still others follow us from Canada, Mexico and the U.S.A.|

I thank God for you all and pray that we may continue to do our part in inviting many more to this Blog through reaching our families, friends and neighbors.

If any of you wish to invited others to follow Kingdomlink then please send me their email address to my email and I will invite them:

fjmanasseri09@gmail.com

God Bless you all and have a great New Year in the Lord.

A Word for Today

With the events of our world continuing to get darker each day, I thought I would pass along the following for your edification::

II Thessalonians 1:4 -12:

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Discovering The Lord Jesus Christ As He Is Today PART XII of XIII

Discovering The Lord Jesus Christ As He Is Today PART XII of XIII

By Frank Manasseri

Eternity Past and Eternity Future

In eternity past Christ was the divine Sonof God, in the form of spirit with the Father.

During the days of His flesh the Messiah chose to limit Himself by setting aside His Godly attributes, and was born of a virgin, fully man (flesh) with perfect sinless blood.

Now and in eternity future Christ is and will be forever remain “As He Is” fully man and fully God. Christ has been highly exalted by the Father and serves in the Holy of Holies in heaven as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek making intercession for the saints. Then after the gathering together of the saints when His role as His Priest is completed, Christ will then take His rightful place setting up His government sitting upon His throne in the Kingdom of God as Lord of Lords and Kings of Kings of the Universe.

Lets us pray that God would assist us to see the Lord Jesus “AS HE IS” today and that He will also allow us to move on to perfection or spiritual maturity in order to obediently respond to our high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

To be continued. . .

DISCOVERING THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST “AS HE IS” TODAY PART X of XIII

DISCOVERING THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST “AS HE IS” TODAY PART X of XIII

By Frank J Manasseri

Was Jesus Christ fully Human?

Chapter two of Hebrews deals with the humanity of Jesus Christ, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death to be crowned with glory and honor.

This chapter begins with the first and firm warning to take heed to the things which we have heard, because at anytime they may drift away from us. The warning continues to not neglect so great salvation, which began to be spoken by the Lord, when in the days of His flesh, He went about preaching and teaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God. All the while, the Father also bearing witness with signs, and wonders, and with many miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will.

Did you know there was more than once ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven?

The First Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven

When we study the scriptures closely we learn that the Bible describes two ascensions of the Lord Jesus into heaven. The second and final ascension was from the Mount of Olives with the Apostles in attendance. The first was on the morning of His resurrection from the dead in the presence of Mary Magdalene.

On the morning when the Father raised Christ from the dead, Jesus as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, ascended into the third heaven, and entered into the Holiest of Holies (in heaven) to sprinkle His own sinless blood on the Mercy seat to cleansing those who believe in His name from all sin>

The scriptural evidence of this incredible truth is found in John 20:11-17:

John 20:11-16 (KJV)

John 20:17(KJV)
Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Notice this scripture does not state, “I will ascend” at some future time, but is plainly states, “I ascend unto my Father. . .” Had Mary held on to Jesus at this time, He would have been unclean and would not be able to perform His High Priestly duty of the atonement.

In the Old Testament under the Aaronic priesthood, if the High Priest was touched within seven days of the Atonement, he would have been unclean and would not have been able to conduct the sacrifices. So Jesus said to Mary, “Touch me not” or “Do not cling to me for I have not yet ascended to my Father. . .”

At the moment of this encounter, Jesus was evidently on His way into heaven to perform His High priestlt duty of th Atonement.

Imagine what it must have been like the first time Jesus ascended into heaven? All attention was riveted on Him as He appeared as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek to fulfill His priestly duty of the atonement. What an awesome moment it must have been as the hosts of heaven watched as Christ approached the Holy of Holies in Heaven. Just as the earthly High Priest perform his duty of sprinkling the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the Mercy seat on earth, Jesus Christ in His role of High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, was carrying His own precious blood into the Temple of heaven. The blood of the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world was sprinkled by Christ on the Mercy seat in heaven. At this most significant moment our redemption was complete.

All the eyes of heaven were watching as The Son of the Living God entered into the Holy place to cleanse the sins of His followers with His own precious blood. The plan of salvation was complete as His pure precious blood was sprinkled on the Mercy seat. Redemption was complete and sealed for eternity! What joy and rejoicing must have filled heaven!

After ascending into heaven and the sprinkling of His own blood on the Mercy seat was completed, He returned to Jerusalem and spent the next forty days with the disciples in His resurrected glorified body teaching them the things concerning the Kingdom of God.. During this time He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

The Second and Final Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven

When the forty days were completed, He was on the Mount of Olives with the Apostles whom He had chosen, and commanded that they should not depart from Jerusalem. There on that Mount, He instructed them for the final time to wait for the promise of the Father. 5

Christ told them that they would receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon them, and that they would be witnesses unto Him both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Then as the Apostles beheld Him, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. They obediently returned to Jerusalem and spent the next ten days with the other disciples with one accord, in prayer and supplication.

To be continued. . .