June 9, 2024: Isaiah 49:2-3: He Made His Mouth Like a Sharp Sword

“And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; and said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” (Isaiah 49:2-3)

The more I read from the book of Isaiah, the more in reverent awe am I of Almighty God. It amazes me that throughout the book of Isaiah, we are given bits of information about the then-coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. The words that are written flow with imagery of the Savior, who would come to earth the first time as a suffering servant, sent by God the Father to save His people Israel, whom God knew would reject their Messiah, and Messiah would also be sent as a light to the Gentiles, because of God’s deep love for all of mankind. As I read through the pages of Isaiah, I read words that spark my memory of what I have read in the New Testament, connecting the prophecies of old in Isaiah to the fulfilled first coming of Jesus, demonstrating a power such is not known nor can be yielded by any earthly man. My God truly is an awesome God!

Isaiah 49:2-3 is a perfect example of God’s power. He tells us clearly that the words which will be spoken of by Jesus will be like a sharp sword. Let us read what Jesus Himself said to the twelve disciples He had chosen and instructed them to go and preach but not to the Gentiles but to the Jews:

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10:5-7)

He told them many things, and He warned them that their message would not be well-received by the house of Israel:

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against [to] them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given to you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 10:16-22)

What is it about the message of Jesus Christ that would cause such hatred? Let us read these words of Jesus to His disciples:

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against [apart from] his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:32-37)

Jesus knew that His message of salvation would be widely rejected among His own people, but it would not only be rejected but it would cause deep division. This division would not only be widespread in the world but also even, and perhaps especially, within the home of a believer. Sadly, this is true in my case.

Many of today’s “churches” preach a message about “unity” and it’s all about the love of Jesus. Yes, it is true that Jesus loves us, but He also loves justice and will not let wickedness go on forever; He will return one day and put an end to it. In the verses from Matthew 10:32-37 above, do you read anything about unity? The answer is a resounding “no.” The reason is that there can be no unity between believers and unbelievers; there is a great and broad chasm between the two that can only be bridged by Jesus Christ when we repent and turn to Him in belief. He knew that there would be people so strongly opposed to the gospel message that there would be family members who turn against each other when a family member puts their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation of their sins, sometimes even hating one another or disavowing the family member who turned to Him. The gospel message gets to the heart of the matter: either you believe in Jesus Christ with your heart as your Savior or you don’t. If you don’t, as Jesus told us, He will deny you before God the Father because you chose to remain in your sins and you simply cannot be allowed entry into heaven because of your sin. Only those who have been born again, having had all their sins washed clean by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, when He was crucified and gave up His life on the cross, saying, “It is finished,” can enter the kingdom of God; Jesus paid the price for all sins of believers in Him, and He only needed to do it once. When you reject the free gift of salvation, Satan owns your soul and when you die, you will be with him in a place called hell for eternity, along with everyone else who died in their sins.

Think about our world today and how there is a deep-rooted hatred for Jesus and His message of salvation. Think about Hollywood, which I believe should be renamed to Hell-e-wood, because the majority of its movies are meant to program your mind and to turn your heart against Jesus Christ. Consider how many movies and TV shows use the name of our great God and Savior in a derogatory manner, using it as a curse word. How many times does it mock Christianity and portray those who believe in Jesus as braindead idiots and say something such as they believe in a chauvinistic or misogynistic “mystical sky daddy”? If Jesus isn’t real, then why do they feel the need to constantly mock Him and those who believe in Him? What is the threat in believing in Him? Why aren't they making movie after movie mocking people who believe in other religions? They mock Him and those who believe in Him because they are being controlled by Satan and his minions, who know beyond the shadow of a doubt that JESUS IS REAL AND THEY KNOW HIS POWER. If Jesus wasn’t a threat to Satan and his minions, they would not mock him and those who believe in Him because there simply would be no reason to do so.

In the book of John, written by the apostle John, he calls Jesus the Word:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5)

“And the Word was made [became] flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The writer of Hebrews further discusses the word of God. I believe this not only speaks to God’s written word - the Bible - but also the Word Himself - Jesus Christ:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Let us read some other Scriptures that talk about Jesus’ mouth as a two-edged sword. When John the apostle was exiled on the Greek island of Patmos, he was given the Revelation of Jesus Christ:

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly [quickly or swiftly] come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: who bare record [bore witness] of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. JOHN to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 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, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 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. 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.” (Revelation 1:1-8)

For those who are not familiar with the book of Revelation, let me provide a quick overview of it. The title of the book in Greek is Apokalypsis Ioannou, “Revelation of John.” A transliteration of the name is “Apocalypse,” which means an unveiling or revelation of Jesus Christ. It opens with John being told by Jesus to write seven letters to seven churches that existed at that time. Next, John was taken up to heaven and shown things “which must be hereafter.” (Revelation 4:1) In my opinion, the book of Revelation is the greatest book of prophecy ever written, and its companion book is the Old Testament book of Daniel. It tells us of a coming 7-year time in history that has never been known to man nor ever will be again, a time so dreadful that if Jesus did not limit it to seven years, no one would survive. It is a time when Jesus Christ will open the seven seals of a sealed scroll that will begin this time period. A man will rise who is called in Revelation the antichrist and the beast, and he will make a 7-year covenant with many, that I believe includes the nation of Israel. This time period will culminate in the second coming of Christ, when He will kill everyone who is at war against Him with the sword of His mouth. He will then begin His 1,000-year reign on earth that begins with Jesus locking Satan in a bottomless pit for the 1,000-year period, letting him loose afterwards to see if the people alive during that period will choose to be aligned with Satan or with Jesus, then Jesus finally casting Satan and all who allied with him into the eternal lake of fire. Afterwards, Jesus will destroy the current earth and heavens and will create a new heaven and earth, where only believers in Him will reside; sin and Satan will have been destroyed forever, never again to raise its ugly head. It is during the second half of the 7-year tribulation period when the surviving Jews will finally realize that Jesus IS their Messiah and will turn to Him in belief.

Now, let me provide you with some verses in Revelation that speak of Jesus’ mouth as a sharp two-edged sword. In this first instance, I want to give you the full context of what John wrote:

“I, John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation [persecution], and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 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 [chest] with a golden girdle [band]. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned [were refined] in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 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: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter [take place]; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:9-20)

These are the words of Jesus Christ speaking to John the apostle. John tells us that when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet as if he were dead. John was seeing Jesus in all His glory; He was seeing Jesus as Almighty God, Creator of the heavens and earth and all that is within them. Oh, how I long for that day when I and all believers in Jesus will see Him in all His glory and we will fall to our knees and worship our great God and Savior!

Did you read the words of Jesus to John? He first told John not to fear, and then told him that He has always existed and always will, and that He is the One who has the keys to hell and death. When people choose sin over salvation, death over life, it is Jesus who holds the key to hell, and when He shuts that door on the wicked, it will never be opened again. Conversely, when we choose salvation over sin, life over death, it is Jesus who opens the door to the kingdom of heaven, which no one can shut. Jesus said the words below to the church of Philadelphia, which was one of only two of the seven churches (the other was the church of Smyrna) for which Jesus had no condemnation to them but only praise:

“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 little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” (Jesus Christ; Revelation 3:7-8)

As we read in Revelation 2:12-17 below when Jesus told John to write His words to the angel of the church in Pergamos, He acknowledged that it is He - Jesus - who has the two-edged, sharp sword:

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication [sexual immorality]. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving [except] he that receiveth it.” (Revelation 2:12-17)

Notice in the Scriptures verses above that Jesus was both praising this church for some of the things it had done but He was also warning them of the things that they were doing that needed to stop. One of those things was that they held to the doctrine of Balaam. Balaam was a prophet of God but who wickedly agreed to take payment from King Balak of Moab who wanted Balaam to curse Israel. Balak was worried about the large number of Israelites who drew close to his land as they were being led by Moses to the Promised Land. Balaam was specifically told by God not to curse Israel, but he still tried to do so several times. However, God would not let the words that came from Balaam’s mouth curse Israel. When he failed to do as Balak wanted and being motivated by money, Balaam found a way to earn his reward money. Balaam told Balak to have the pagan Moabite and Midianite women sexually tempt the Israelite men. The Israelite men ended up committing sexual immorality with them, ate foods that they sacrificed to their false gods, and worshipped their false gods. In the end, God ordered all those who committed sexual fornication to be slain, including the women who caused Israel to stumble, and 24,000 were killed. Balaam was also slain for his evil deeds against Israel, and he was slain by the sword:

“The Israelites also killed the diviner Balaam son of Beor along with the others they put to the sword.” (Joshua 13:22)

Balaam was a prophet in that he did speak the truth but it was only because God would not let him curse Israel with his mouth. Instead of wanting to use his God-given talents to bless God and to bless Israel, he wanted to use them to enlarge himself because he worshipped the false god of money. Balaam was not motivated by the one true God but was motivated by the false god of money. When we compare Balaam to the pastors and teachers in churches today, including and perhaps especially, in America, how many of them are like Balaam? How many are cursing Israel today as we speak because it’s what most countries in the world today are doing? How many are doing this so that they can keep the donations coming into the “churches” to enlarge themselves, just as Balaam desired? What will their end be? May they remember and heed the words of Jesus:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt [ruin], and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Jesus Christ; Matthew 6:19-21)

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold [be loyal] to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [riches].” (Jesus Christ; Matthew 6:24)

Finally, let’s read two verses near the end of the book of Revelation, when Jesus comes back to earth but this time, He comes back to judge the earth in all righteousness. Let us pay close attention to what it says about His mouth being a sharp sword. Yes, the One whom is speaking in Isaiah 49:2-3 is Jesus Christ. He is the One whom God has called by name from His mother’s womb. He is the One whose mouth is like a sharp sword:

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteous he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture [robe] dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite [strike] the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls [birds] that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond [slave], both small and great. And I saw the beast [antichrist], and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant [rest] were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:11-21)

In Isaiah 49:2-3, Jesus goes on to say that God has hidden Him “in the shadow of his hand,” and that God has made Him His servant, through whom God will be glorified. God has hidden Jesus throughout the books of the Old Testament, giving us sneak peaks of the coming Messiah, the Savior, long before He would come to the earth the first time. God told us in His word that the Savior would first come as the Suffering Servant and who would be a light to the Gentiles, and who would come a second time to judge the earth in righteousness:

“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment [justice] to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Isaiah 42:1-9)

“Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled [lifted up], and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage [appearance] was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: so shall he sprinkle [startle] many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.” (Isaiah 52:13-15)

The next passages from Isaiah 53 describe all that happened to Jesus at His first coming in stunning detail. The fulfillment of these prophecies is only possible when they are proclaimed by Almighty God, who knows the end from the beginning, who created the earth and the heavens and all that is within them. God knew exactly what would happen to Jesus when He came to earth the first time, and God wove in His word these prophecies so that when they were fulfilled, we would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that His word is true and His word is certain; what He says will come to pass, will happen, and no man and no devil can prevent it from happening. Let us read Isaiah chapter 53 in its entirety:

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm [power] of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form [no stately form] nor comeliness [splendor]; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty [appearance] that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes [blows that cut in] we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53)

Just in Isaiah 53 alone, Jesus fulfilled ten prophecies. Gotquestions.org has a list of prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, including these ten from Isaiah 53, which I have noted below. (See: https://www.gotquestions.org/prophecies-of-Jesus.html).

1. The Suffering Servant will be despised and rejected by His own people. Jesus’ tormentors rejected Him and spit in His face. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:3; Fulfilled: Luke 23:18; Matthew 26:67; John 1:11

2. The Suffering Servant will bear the abuse we deserve for our physical and spiritual healing. Jesus did this. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:4-5; Fulfilled: Matthew 8:17; Romans 5:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:3

3. The Suffering Servant will bear our sins. Jesus bore our sins. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:6, 8, 12; Fulfilled: Romans 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24-25

4. The Suffering Servant is like a lamb that does not defend itself. Although Jesus spoke during His trials, He never offered a defense. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:7; Fulfilled: Matthew 27:12; Luke 23:9; John 1:29-36

5. The Suffering Servant’s people did not protest His death. Only Pilate protested Jesus’ death. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:8; Fulfilled: Matthew 27:23-25

6. The Suffering Servant will die with the wicked. Jesus died with the two thieves. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:9, 12; Fulfilled: Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27

7. The Suffering Servant will be buried in the grave of a rich man. Jesus was buried in the grave of Joseph of Arimathea. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:9; Fulfilled: Matthew 27:57-60

8. God ordained that the Suffering Servant would suffer and die. God sent Jesus to die. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:10; Fulfilled: John 3:16; 19:11; Acts 2:23; Philippians 2:8

9. The Suffering Servant’s sacrifice offers forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ sacrifice offers forgiveness of our sins. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:11; Fulfilled: Acts 10:43; 13:38-39

10. The Suffering Servant will intercede for His abusers. Jesus asked God to forgive those who crucified Him. Prophesied: Isaiah 53:12; Fulfilled: Luke 23:34

It is Jesus of whom it was prophesied in Isaiah 53 and throughout the Old Testament. Just as God said He would come, Jesus did come to earth. At His first coming, the apostle John acknowledged that Jesus has been there from the very beginning, at the time of creation, and was made flesh and dwelt among them. The apostle Paul wrote of “the mystery of godliness”:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:1-5)

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John [John the Baptist] bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:14-18)

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16)

God knew from the beginning that His chosen people, the Jews, would never be able to keep His commandments because of the sinful, human nature each of us have inherited since the great fall of Adam and Eve. God sent His only begotten Son to offer redemption from sins by grace - Jesus’ death and resurrection - for all who put their faith and trust in Him for our salvation. Though once hidden in the pages of Old Testament Scriptures, Jesus was brought to this earth to bring light into darkness and salvation for all who believe in Him. The apostle Paul, a Jew and a Pharisee (religious leader), who once sought after and persecuted the early Christians and was struck by the light of Jesus Christ and became a Christian, testified of this Jesus:

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained [predetermined] before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:7-16)

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: wherefore I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against [until] that day.” (2 Timothy 1:9-12)

Long ago in Isaiah 49, Jesus was speaking to the Gentiles, telling us that God had called Him by His name from His mother’s womb with a specific purpose:

“And he [God] said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end [ends] of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)

Paul was the man who was formerly named Saul. He was a Jewish pharisee and prior persecutor of Christians. He was the one whom Jesus chose to deliver the gospel to the Gentiles. When Jesus told Ananias to meet with Saul after Saul was blinded by the light of Jesus when Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9:1-12), Ananias was in fear of Saul:

“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:13-16)

Afterward, Jesus began calling Saul by a different name of “Paul,” and as Jesus said, Paul did go and preach the gospel - the good news of salvation from sins by Jesus Christ - primarily to the Gentiles but also to the Jews. Throughout Paul’s writings in the New Testament, we read his messages of truth. In the book of Colossians Paul wrote:

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” (Colossians 1:12-20)

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among you the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” (Colossians 1:25-29)

God’s word is all perfectly woven together by the breath of God. God had a plan of salvation from the beginning, and His name is Jesus. Sadly, to the majority of the world, they deny the truth of God, and they reject His plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. To the rest of us, who have been born again by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, His word is a soothing balm to our soul, helping us to remain calm when the world is telling us to be afraid, to be fearful of what is soon coming upon the earth. His Holy Spirit within us remind us of God’s words to us that Jesus will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords, and He will be glorified:

“Why do the heathen [Gentiles] rage, and the people imagine [plot] a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed [Messiah, Christ], saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex [distress] them in his sore [deep] displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen [nations or Gentiles] for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss [an act of homage and submission] the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2)

At the end of Jesus’ 1,000-year reign on earth, He will destroy the current heavens and earth by fire and will create a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem, where only those who have been born again will live. All who rejected Him will be in the everlasting lake of fire and brimstone, along with Satan, the final antichrist, and the false prophet. There will be no more sin, and the world will be as God intended it to be from the beginning before the fall. The apostle John wrote of this when he was caught up to heaven and shown the things that were to come:

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.” (Revelation 22:1-6)

“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Jesus Christ; Revelation 22:7)

Ever since Jesus came to earth the first time, the words that He spoke from His mouth, giving them the truth of God, have been dividing people:

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

“Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned [studied]? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me.” (John 7:14-16)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (Jesus Christ; John 6:47-51)

Jesus’ words are like a sharp sword that splits the truth from lies. Either you believe in Him - the One whom God sent to offer salvation from sins through the spilling of HIs precious blood, His death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven - or you don’t; there is no middle ground. That sharp sword will either turn you to Him or away from Him; what it does for you is your choice alone to make. ✝️