"Today Excitingly, Savior's Truth Identify Following Yeshua!” (T.E.S.T.I.F.Y)/"How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophecy?” By Ramesh C. Reddy

Updated on Wed, Aug 29, 2012 at 09:55 a.m. (EST) & 07:25 p.m. (IST), AUGUST 2012 Edition

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“Today Excitingly Savior's Truth Identify Following Yeshua! (T.E.S.T.I.F.Y)”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Mark 1:1-3, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself who are the CHARACTERS mentioned directly or indirectly in these 3 verses?
1. Jesus Christ, the Son of God
2. Isaiah, the prophet
3. I [God]
4. Messenger
5. Lord

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself what are the CLAIMS being made about Jesus Christ?
1. The beginning of the gospel which is about Jesus Christ.
2. Jesus Christ is referred to as Lord.

Interpretations:
I asked myself the significance of v. 1-3?
I found it very interesting that the Gospel of Mark starts out with ‘The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God’ and moves right into prophecy. I decided to look at prophecy.

I was reminded of what expert witnesses who are called into court to testify have to do. They give their credentials to why the jury, who are ordinary citizens, should believe what they have to say. After their credentials are given, they testify to what they were called in for. In this case, in the Gospel of Mark the readers are reminded about the Old Testament, especially regarding the prophecy given to Isaiah to set up the credentials for the Gospel of Mark. Now the credentials that have been given in Isaiah become a reality in the New Testament as the testimony is given.

Observations:
I asked myself what is written in Isaiah?
Isaiah, the prophet mentions God’s conversation with Jesus Christ as a prophecy message which the Gospel of Mark reveals. This is evidenced by:

"A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3, NIV)

"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"-- "a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" (Mark 1:2-3, NIV)

Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself who the phrases in these verses refer to and it's significance?
I decided to take a closer look at the above verses:
1. “I will send” refers to God speaking to Jesus Christ.
2. “my messenger” refers to God’s messenger.
3. “ahead of you” refers to Jesus Christ
4. “who will prepare” refers to messenger
5. “your way” refers to Jesus Christ
6. “a voice of one calling in the desert” refers to messenger
7. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” refers to Jesus Christ

Point 1: “I will send” refers to God speaking to Jesus Christ.
I was very excited to know this because it tells me that Jesus Christ existed during the Old Testament too! What we know is that God was speaking to Jesus Christ giving that prophesy to Isaiah.

Jesus is referred to as God in Isaiah which is evidenced by "prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God." (Isaiah 40:3, NIV)

Point 2: “my messenger” refers to God’s messenger.
Jesus is told that a messenger will come but no name is given.

Point 3: “ahead of you” refers to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is told that this messenger will precede His coming which tells me that Jesus would not come until the messenger foretold by God came first.

Point 4: “who will prepare” refers to messenger.
Jesus is told that this messenger will prepare.

Point 5: “your way” refers to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is told His way will be prepared.

Point 6: “a voice of one calling in the desert” refers to messenger.
Jesus is told this messenger will be 'a voice of one calling in the desert.'

Point 7: “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” refers to Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is referred to as Lord! Throughout the Old Testament only God Almighty, the 'I AM' is referred to as Lord. Now this same title is being given to Jesus speaking of His Deity and Divinity. The name of the messenger is revealed too!

"And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1:4, NIV)

The messenger to precede Jesus would be John. He was “a voice of one calling in the desert” which is evidenced by “And so John came, baptizing in the desert region”

(To be continued)

IMPLICATIONS:
I saw important implications for my own life by looking at these verses. The most important thing that stuck out to me was the divinity of Jesus Christ and prophecy. It made me see how prophecy can validate the beginning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It also made me see how important the Old Testament is even for Christians if we want to get to know Jesus of the Bible. God spoke to Jesus in the Old Testament through a prophecy revealed to Isaiah. Both Old and New Testament are God's message for all people.

My small group leader David was talking to Steve and me about how important it is to see the Bible as a whole book from Genesis to Revelation instead of Christians thinking it is just okay to read the New Testament. We were talking about how the Old Testament points to Jesus as well. This is revealed so well in the beginning verses of Mark 1:1-4.

God's Word is Eternal and His message from Genesis to Revelation is for anyone. God gave us His Word so through the message, we can come to Him to have a personal relationship with Him as we read, study, and meditate upon His Word. All 66 books of the Bible are for anyone to read whether they are a believer or unbeliever.

Jesus said that He did not come for the healthy but for the sick. By sick, Jesus meant spiritually sick. In other words, Jesus came for those who were missing the mark, those separated from God because of their sins, and not for those who think they are righteous already. Jesus' words even apply in this age where Bibles are sent to so many unbelievers so that they may read it and come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

One of the ways, I have seen people come to Christ is by reading the Word and hearing the Word. You cannot believe if you don't know what you are believing in. Believing in itself is the Work of the Holy Spirit and His grace as the Word of God is taken in. So read both the Old Testaments and the New Testaments allowing God's message to speak to you. He will!

APPLICATION:
I ask you now dear friend, how seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophecy?
Dear friends, prophesies in the Bible have always come true and will continue to come true. If you take prophesy seriously, let God’s Word speak to you not only through the New Testament but also through the Old Testament realizing the New Testament makes so much more sense and becomes exciting to read when we realize most of the events that took place in the New Testament were prophesized in the Old Testament revealing why Jesus Christ came to earth!

Prophesy still matters today and the Book of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelations and other books of the Bible have prophesies that have come true in the past and that will come true in the future. The key is that none of them have been proved to be false. Predictions can be true or false but when God gives prophesy it will always come true.

I personally know of an atheist who gave his life to Jesus Christ to be His Lord and Personal Savior because he was shown all the prophesies in the Old Testament about Jesus that were fulfilled in the New Testament. We were proud to have invited him to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship to speak to our students few years ago.

After he became a follower of Christ, he went around testifying about prophesy. Testifying about prophesy is not ignoring the Gospel for within prophesy the Gospel is revealed too. Isaiah 53 is an example!

Friend, you have the opportunity to study prophesy in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Word of God is near you and able to transform you. Pick up the Word and read it. Ask the Lord to let it speak to you.

If psychics, tarot cards, crystal balls, etc maybe fascinating to you, they do not have the answers to life. Many times people hear someone predict something about themselves and it plays in their head. Without realizing, they themselves many times make that happen and think wow, he/she told me that it would happen and it did. Now they get more sucked into the occult. Predictions and prophesies are not the same. Predictions don't always come true. Prophesy from God's Word always comes true.

Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Universe knows the plans for you friend and they are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Yes, He does! We need not know what the future holds for us if we take the present as a gift and allow Him to guide us daily. The future is not a mystery with the Lord. Claim the promises God has for you that you can claim for your future. There are prophesies in the Bible that have proven to be true! That is exciting to know for you and I to confidently testify about prophesy. Yes, it is!

Jesus testifies to His love for you based on being born on Christmas day as God-incarnate so one day He could rescue you and deliver you, not just you but all humanity who takes refuge in Him. Even Jesus' birth was prophesized. If you take prophesy seriously, you will come to believe in the Word of God as you ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you. You can start to do that right now friend. He will reveal Himself to you.

I would like to invite you to Oakland International Fellowship if you are looking for a church community to be part of. I want to also invite you to Transformers small group which meets on Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. on North Dithridge St, Oakland in Pittsburgh, PA. We would love to have you there. You can contact me at 412-641-9426 for more information.

"Today Excitingly, Savior's Truth Identify Following Yeshua!” (T.E.S.T.I.F.Y)/"How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophecy?”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you so much that we can learn about you throughout the Bible. It is so exciting to learn about prophecy and how you have fulfilled prophecy. Help us Oh Lord to read your Word and reveal your Way to us. Thank you so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2012 DEVOTIONALS:

Mark 1:1: "Why bother with the G.O.S.P.E.L when you see yourself as a good person anyway?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 28, 12, 09:00 a.m.)

Mark 1:40-42: "How do you deal with the L.E.P.R.O.S.Y of sin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 07, 12, 11:21 p.m.)

Mark 10:10-12: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.)

Mark 10:6-9: "What should your take be for M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.)

John 6: "What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat to live forever?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:48 p.m.)

John 10:9: "What D.O.O.R is the only Door that will save you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 31, 12, 09:08 a.m.)

John 8:12: "How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 30 12, 08:28 a.m.)

Matthew 25:14-30: "What are you doing with the T.A.L.E.N.T the Lord Jesus has given you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 28, 12, 10:38 a.m.)

Matthew 22:36-40: "How are the dimensions of L.O.V.E in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 27, 12, 09:13 a.m.)

Matthew 18:12-14: "What hope is there for the L.O.S.T in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 26, 12, 09:50 a.m.)

Mark 4:22-23: "What happens to a sin you C.O.N.C.E.A.L in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 25, 12, 07:23 a.m.)

John 15:18-21: 'Is it better for you to experience H.A.T.E or love, why or why not?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 24, 12, 01:01 p.m.)

John 10:14-16: "Who will you make your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 19, 12, 06:03 a.m.)

John 15:10-14: "What does it mean to remain in the V.I.N.E always?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 18, 12, 10:13 a.m.)

Matthew 18:21-22: "What stipulation do you put to F.O.R.G.I.V.E. someone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 17, 12, 09:17 a.m.)

Philippians 4:20-23: "How do you see F.A.T.H.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 13, 12, 07:39 a.m.)

Philippians 4:19: "What are your N.E.E.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 12, 12, 08:51 a.m.)

Philippians 4:15-18: "Who will you F.I.N.A.N.C.E in ministry?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 11, 12, 05:42 a.m.)

Philippians 4:14: "How do you S.H.A.R.E in others troubles?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 10, 12, 08:30 a.m.)

Philippians 4:12-13: "Where do you need S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 09, 12, 08:59 a.m.)

Mark 5:24b-29: "Where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M to move on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 07, 12, 10:43 a.m.)

Philippians 4:10: "Why show C.O.N.C.E.R.N for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 03, 12, 09:18 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9b: "How do you know your P.E.A.C.E is real?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 02, 12, 08:33 a.m.)

Philippians 4:9a: "What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:58 a.m.)

Philippians 4:8: What is your T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:56 a.m.)

Philippians 4:6-7: "How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 28, 12, 08:05 a.m.)

Philippians 4:5: "What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 27, 12, 08:57 a.m.)

Philippians 4:4: "When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 26, 12, 09:26 a.m.)

Philippians 4:3: "How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 25, 12, 08:58 a.m.)

Philippians 4:2: "How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:45 a.m.)

Philippians 4:1: "Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:40 a.m.)

Philippians 3:20-21: "What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire the most?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 12, 07:28 a.m.)

Philippians 3:18-19: "Why shed T.E.A.R.S for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 20, 12, 08:37 a.m.)

Philippians 3:15-17: "Who or what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 19, 12, 07:30 a.m.)

Philippians 3:12-14: "How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 18, 12, 11:43 a.m.)

Philippians 3:1-11: "Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N do you need the transaction of the cross?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 16, 12, 8:57 a.m.)

Philippians 2:25-30: "When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 15, 12, 6:43 a.m.)

Philippians 2:19-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 12, 8:18 a.m.)

Philippians 2:17-18: "How do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 13, 12, 6:58 a.m.)

Philippians 2:14-16: "How is your B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R. in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 12, 12, 8:15 a.m.)

Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 12, 8:36 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13:"What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 09, 7:50 a.m.)

Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:51 a.m.)

Philippians 2:9-11:"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:47 a.m.)

Philippians 2:8: "Why should you make a C.R.O.S.S transaction in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 06, 7:26 a.m.)

Philiippians 2:5-7: "How do match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 9:09 a.m.)

Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 6:19 a.m.)

Philippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 02, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (June, 01, 6:52 a.m.)

Philippians 1:27-28:"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 12, 7:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:22-26: What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 12, 6:27 a.m.)

Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29, 12, 4:59 a.m.)

Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 25, 12, 8:08 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19:"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 24, 12, 8:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.)

Philippians 1:13-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.)

Philippians 1:12: "How can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.)

Philippians 1:8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.)

Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.)

Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.)

Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

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