I don’t know if you realize that most
of today’s so called Christianity is a religion according to Jesus in the
flesh. I call it the "Jesus cult." You can tell by their songs and their
attitude towards a Holy God and to his Holy Word. It is a Jesus in the
image of man, who was born in Bethlehem, lived a good live and was crucified.
But the Apostle Paul gives a different view, and according to him he is
not just a Jesus, but the Lord of Glory, he is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
A few thoughts on John’s vision of Revelation chapter one should settle
our minds. You see John was with the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration,
and what he saw was a vision of Christ in His glory under the title as
the Son of Man, but notice the difference when he sees the same Person
on whom he leaned at the last supper. When John saw Him in Revelation chapter
one, he fell at His feet as dead. And the reason, he saw the Lord Jesus
in all His heavenly glory, because when the Lord ascended from Mount Olivet
into heaven He changed - just like we are to be changed in the twinkling
of the eye. To what degree this change will be for us I am not quite sure,
but every true Christian should keep in mind the words of 1John 3:1-3.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should
be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because
it knew him not. 2, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not
yet appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear we shall
be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3, And every man that hath
this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The Lord Jesus is now in heaven, invested
with all power over heaven and earth, invested with all power and glory,
and a name that is above every name that every tongue should confess that
Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This is why the Apostle Paul wrote
- henceforth we no longer know Christ after the flesh. Do you know Jesus
as the living and glorified Lord and Saviour who has all power in heaven
and earth, or is he like a supermarket item you can take or leave or even
perhaps wait for the opportunity when he is on special. The true Christian
is urged to worship Him as the exalted, holy and lofty One.
F.J.R. 9.3.1997.
Related document: The
Lord from Heaven