Scripture: Isaiah 11 v 1 - 4: "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."
Revelation 1 v 5 - 8: "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
This coming week, on Christmas Day, billions of people will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ singing songs about baby Jesus, sending cards with nativity scenes, decorating their homes with tinsel and promising children that Santa will bring them presents if they are good.
Although the actual birth date of Jesus is not mentioned in the Bible, it is unlikely to be in the middle of winter as shepherds would not be out all night with their sheep in the snow and cold. However, it says in Romans that we can designate a holy day and use it any way we want to.
There is a need to see Jesus, not as a weak baby in a crib, but as a mighty King from Heaven who laid aside His majestic realm and chose to be born as a human being specifically to demonstrate that any person submitted to God can do everything He did, plus more than that, because He is returning to the Father and the Holy Spirit will come upon us.
Jesus Christ Almighty whose goal was to die a substitutional death for us all. Our souls were alive but our spirits were dead because of sin. He took that dead spirit from each of us on the Cross, and from that moment on our spirits became quickened. As soon as we are born again, our spirits are alive and seated with Christ in heavenly places. What we receive in our spirits enters our soul and body to enlighten us to God's will.
Our spirits went with Him into Abraham's Bosom, where He liberated all the old believers like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Samson, David, Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah and everyone else. He then took the keys of Hell and Death out of Satan's hand and according to Colossians 2 v 15: "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."
Down in Satan's realm Jesus took Satan and his demons on and destroyed them, exposing their utter defeat and walking away triumphantly. The false teaching that Jesus was beaten up in Hell after His Crucifixion is not substantiated in scripture.
His glorious resurrection and its amazing sideshow, blew the enemy to shreds. Matthew 27 v 50 - 54:
"Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God."
When Jesus came up from Paradise He encountered Mary Magdalene in the garden near His empty tomb.
John 20 v 15 - 17: "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
17 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."
Jesus had to lead all the saints of old, who were walking around Jerusalem, to His Father in Heaven before returning to appear to some on the road to Emmaus, then to the disciples many times over forty days, before leaving in glorious ascension. There were angels with them who said He will return in the same way He left.
By all the signs He said would happen before His return, it is very close. Jesus Christ Almighty will return in glory. Every eye will see Him. The Jews will recognise their Messiah and weep. Those who reject Him will be mortally afraid, trying to hide under rocks so His eyes don't see them. He will not be returning as a babe in a manger. He will be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, glory hallelujah!
Whatever we believe about Christmas let us be sure we have a strong personal relationship with Jesus our mighty King. Let us worship and praise Him for all the great things He has done. Let us exalt Him above the heavens and see Him as He is now.
Revelation 1 v 13 - 18: "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we worship You in Spirit and in truth. Thank You for sending Jesus to us and showing us that our enemy is a defeated foe and we can resist him and cast him out the same way He did.
Bless all those who celebrate His birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension with salvation, protection, abundance and joy. In Jesus' name. Amen.
From now until early February the postings on Prophetic Fire will be as and when I can manage them as I will be travelling, visiting friends and family. I wish you all the blessings of Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Love to you all, Brenda.
