JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN!!
"This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11, NKJV)
Devotion #2 of 15 

IT ALL CENTERS IN JESUS!
     Everything in Scripture centers in Jesus Christ, "for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10). Jesdus is to the Bible what the spirit is to the body. Jesus Himself affirmed that He is the Subject of all Scripture. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39). Take Jesus out of the picture, and the Bible loses its relevancy. It is not  a manual of conduct, an analysis of history, or a commentary on the sciences. While aspects of these things are found in the Word of God, they are at the periphery of revelation, never at its heart. The Son of God is the fundamental consideration of Scripture.

What Jesus has done
     The affirmation that Jesus is the "spirit of prophecy" means that He gives life and fulfillment to all revelation. Basically, this consists of Who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do. He IS the Son of God, in Whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily (Col 2:9). He did appear "once in the end of the world to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb  9:26). Involved in that "sacrifice" was the destruction of Satan (Heb 2:14), the spoiling of principalities and powers (Col 2:15), and the removal of the  "handwriting of ordinances" that was "against us" (Col 2:14). Christ's tenure in this world was concluded by His resurrection from the dead and ascension into heaven. These are the heart of what He has accomplished.

What Jesus IS doing
     Nevertheless, Jesus is working now, making intercession at the right hand of His Father (Heb 7:25). He is ruling in the midst of His enemies, having received "power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life" to those that have been given to Him (Psa 110:2; John 17:2). He is presently administrating the new covenant, bringing its benefits to those who have obeyed the Gospel. His present work is also described as "bringing many sons to glory" (Heb 2:10). He is also ensuring the salvation of those who come to God by Him, ever living to make intercession for them (Heb 7:25).

What Jesus WILL do
     There is also a future aspect to the Lord Jesus; what He WILL DO. That is the focus of this series of devotions! HE WILL COME AGAIN! Jesus Himself declares it: "I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3).   The holy angels affirm it: "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).  The Apostles preached it: "So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation" (Heb 9:28). This truth is central in Scripture because it concerns the Person of Christ, Who Himself is the "spirit of prophecy."

PRAYER POINT: Father, give me grace to prepare for the return of Your Son--that I may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, but that which is by faith in Christ!

-- TOMORROW: WAITING FOR HIS SON FROM HEAVEN --