Scriptural Reading : Jn 12:32: Psa 34:2: Rev 5:1-13: Isa 45:23:
Salutations beloved brethren in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us be reminded that, no matter its simplicity , the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the glorious gospel remain the only things that can touch the hearts of men , even the vilest sinner ! The problem is that those who have been entrusted with the responsibility to lift up the Lord have not really done so in sincerity and truth! I say it is time to lift up the Lord Jesus above the shoulder of any man here under the sun ! It is written! O magnify the LORD with me , and let us exalt his name together. ( Psa 32:3). See? Yes, instead of exalting ourselves, our ministries, our churches, our programs and things, rise up and magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! Everybody should say, amen to that!
LIFT UP:
It is written! And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.( Jn 12:32). It was none other than our precious Lord Jesus Christ who made that profound statement. Being lifted up from the earth not only pointed to his crucification at the cross of Calvary but also to his glorification. See?
MEANING OF LIFTING UP:
The word "lift up" has both Hebrew and Greek meanings. Though it is varied in its meaning, the following do apply in our context:
( a). Hebrew : Nasa or Naca : It means to exalt, magnify, extol, hold up, lofty, respect. To lift, both literally and figuratively.
( b). Greek : Hupsoo : ( both literally and figuratively) It means to elevate, to exalt, lift up on high. It can be used in elevating someone to a high position or lifting up an object.
There you have it! You can now understand why the Lord made that statement: And I if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me. See? In another translation ( MSB), it renders it as: And, I as I am lifted from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me. See? That is why even the Star and Prophet Messenger to the Laodicean church age said that the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ still remains the greatest drawing card to all peoples of the world! Right! The name of the Lord Jesus spoken in human lips and with the word of God in the hearts men remains the greatest power of influence in the world today! Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
A NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME:
It is written! Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ( Phil 2:9-11). See?
Notice! After the Son of God was raised from the dead, and he rose as the mighty conqueror, God highly exalted him and given him a name above every name! Did somebody hear that? His name is above any name of any person on earth; be him a president of the United States, or Russia or Secretary of the UN, or the Pope of Rome, or any prophet or apostle, Reverend, Bishop or Pastor or King of a tribe, anything, name it! The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is above all names! Yes, let us exalt his name together!
Listen! No matter whatever the others confess their religions, Islam ( that hard spirit), Buddhists, Jains, atheists, communists, and witchdoctors, scientists and many others; time is soon approaching that, that prophecy will be literally fulfilled! Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Notice! The scripture says: God raised Christ and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.( Eph 1:21-23). Yes, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
THE PROPHECY OF ISAAIH:
Isaiah, a mighty prophet of the Lord many centuries before the Lord Jesus came spoke of him and how that his name will be lifted up from the earth. He said: I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.( Isa 45:23). Yes, every Bible prophesy and every word of God must be fulfilled! The scripture says God has sworn by himself! His word goes forth in righteousness and shall not return! ( Matt 24:35). Unto God every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess! Oh, friends, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
THE LAMB , THE KINSMAN REDEEMER:
Notice! John saw, after the Lamb of Calvary had taken the book sealed with seven seals from the right hand of him that sat upon the throne, watch what happened! As a lion of the tribe of Judah, he had prevailed ( overcome) the enemy of sin and death on the cross of Calvary ! He shed his precious blood and wrought redemption story for the elect of God chose before the foundation of the world( 1 Pet 1:19,20). He is the Kinsman Redeemer . See?
John had wept because he saw that without a redeemer who was worthy to take the book of redemption and open those seven seals , all the human race would be lost! The angel had asked: Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof? The Bible says, that no man,( boy, watch that!)in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon ( Rev 5:1-7). See?
But, his tears were shortlived, for one of the elders saith to him: weep not, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book , and to loose the seven seals thereof. It was at that point he looked, and instead of seeing a lion , he saw a lamb ! It was bloody ! He had been doing the work of intercessions at the throne of his Father! And as soon as he came and took the book! Oh, friends!
John saw and heard how the four beasts and twenty-four fall down before the Lamb and worshipped him! They also sang a new song of redemption ! It was followed by multitudes of angels together exalting the Lamb! They said: worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing ( Rev 5:8-12). See?
UNIVERSAL ADORATION OF THE LAMB:
Finally, John saw and heard these glorious scene: And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing , and honour , and glory , and power , be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.( Rev 5:13). See?
Friends, remember Jesus had spoken that I and I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me( Jn 12:32). However, in this heavenly scene he saw and heard every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth and even in the sea, all of them shouted and exalted , glorified and magnified the Lamb as King in worship and adoration ! ( Rev 5:13). See?
Yes, oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together! ( Psa 34:3). Amen . To be continued.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you . Amen . One more soul . We work till Jesus comes .
Pastor Charles Obwoon
