{"id":402,"date":"2022-03-06T22:35:15","date_gmt":"2022-03-06T22:35:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=402"},"modified":"2022-03-06T22:37:18","modified_gmt":"2022-03-06T22:37:18","slug":"prophecy-vii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deadmannotwalking.org\/?p=402","title":{"rendered":"Prophecy VII"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, \u201cBehold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is He on behalf of whom I said, \u2018After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.\u2019  I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.\u201d  John testified saying, \u201cI have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.  I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, \u2018He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.\u2019  I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.\u201d  (John 1:29-34, NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Apostle John writes in this passage about John the Baptizer’s encounter with Jesus Christ.  There’s a whole lot of prophecy connected to this segment.  First, John the Baptist understands that he is the fulfillment of prophecy to prepare for the Messiah’s coming to earth.  Second, John has plainly stated that he is not Messiah, but One would follow him “who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”  And third, his declaration “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” is prophetic in that it predicts how Jesus would die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

John says that he didn’t immediately recognize Jesus as Messiah, but he saw “the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained on Him.”  It was God Who completed the picture:  “He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.”  It’s then that John proclaims “that this is the Son of God.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Behold,
“Behold the Lamb of God” found at Good Salt, https:\/\/www.goodsalt.com\/details\/lfwas1578.html<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

John’s declaration “Behold, the Lamb of God . . . ” was prophetic for the manner of Jesus’ purpose for coming to His earth:  He would end up being a sacrifice.  The Law of Moses prescribed animal sacrifices as a way for sinners to receive forgiveness.  When a lamb was presented, it had to be perfect–spotless, no blemishes, no diseases.  Jesus was required by God the Father to be perfect as well.  He lived a perfect life, free from sin.  Thus He was an acceptable sacrifice to the Father. 
John also says that Jesus would “[take] away the sin of the world.”  The only acceptable way for remission of sins is by blood sacrifice.  God requires blood for forgiveness of sins.  So for Jesus to take our sin away, He would have to be presented as a sacrifice, and shed His blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, Jesus did just that.  The animal sacrifices performed by the priests in the Temple had to be done over and over again, whenever there was sin.  The chief priests were required to enter the Holy of Holies once each year to atone for the sins of the people.  But Jesus’ sacrifice was good once and for all time.  God requires us to acknowledge His sacrifice, and pray to make Jesus the Lord of our lives.  Have you done so?  As we approach Easter, now would be a great time to ask Jesus into your heart! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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