I sincerely hope that readers here took the time to watch Dr. David Jeremiah's sermon via the link that was posted here yesterday. It's an awesome lesson that will bless you immensely!
My Christian brother, Sosthenes, sent me a brief essay via email that reiterates a fact that Dr. Jeremiah mentioned in his sermon yesterday.
Sosthenes wrote:
The cults deny the pre-existence of Christ or the eternal sonship of Christ.
1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
"Is come" is a statement of pre-existence. "is Come" is (G2064) erchomai and it means "to come from one place to another".
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
He is God come into the flesh.
1John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Those who don't believe in the pre-existence of Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist.
What is sad to realize is that not only do the cults (or other religions) not recognize the pre-existence of Christ before his Incarnation here on earth, some who would call themselves Christians do not realize this fact either!
In the case of the Christians, often it is because of an ignorance about what is written in the Bible. Bible study is CRUCIAL for at least some understanding of God's wisdom, His will for our lives, His commands, and most importantly, His gospel message about Jesus Christ.
New or baby Christians might be eligible for getting a pass on this (I was formerly ignorant of the pre-existence fact when I was brought up Catholic), but mature Christians of the faith have no excuse for not knowing about the pre-existence of Christ!
One of my favorite Bible passages that indicates Christ's pre-existence along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit is found in the book of John:
Jhn 1:1 ¶ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jhn 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Jhn 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Jhn 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Jhn 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
Verse 5 explains how the light of Christ shines through the darkness of sin, evil and death. However, the darkness (or sin, evil and death) cannot comprehend it. That is why so many who reject Jesus Christ and the Gospel message hate the true meaning of Christmas and want to eliminate it from the secular "celebrations" going on during the "holiday" season.
Jesus is the Light of the world - "and the darkness comprehended it not."
I pray that those who read this post will take the time to view and listen to Dr. Jeremiah's sermon (at link above). I guarantee that it will help you discover (or re-discover) the true meaning of Christmas and the awesome love of Jesus Christ for you this year!
Hat Tip:
Thanks to Sosthenes for his email essay.