tprim27

The Prophecy Revealed In Matthew

Lesson Twenty-seven: by Christina Farris

Many questions still today about who John the Baptist is. I seen on television of a tribe that spoke of knowing only the baptism
of John. However I remember little else concerning this fact. The fact is some still followed John even after John spoke of who
Christ was at the baptism. Even John the baptist sent inquiries of who Jesus was after the fact. However Jesus sends John
disciples away with only a simple answer, yet Jesus tells the crowd who John really is. There was prophesy spoken of John as
well as of Him.

Let us begin this lesson with looking at what Jesus told John disciples about who He, Christ, was. His response is scriptural to
John disciples.

Matthew 11:1-7 KJV
(1) And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to
preach in their cities.
(2) Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
(3) And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
(4) Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
(5) The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the
poor have the gospel preached to them.
(6) And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
(7) And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to
see? A reed shaken with the wind?

One has to ask are there any prophets especially after the time of Christ. There are many prophets, teachers and preachers. Not
all are of God not all do the work of God. However Jesus was spoken about in Old Testament scriptures, yet the only reference
given to old time prophetic scripture in this section of scripture is out of Isaiah and Jesus encourages John disciples to go back
and tell them the lame and blind are healed. However scripture declares that the Messiah would heal the sick, the lame and the
blind.

Isaiah 29:17-19 KJV
(17) Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a
forest?
(18) And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of
darkness.
(19) The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Even the poor will hear the message of the gospel. John disciples parted and went to tell John. Here John is in prison. He does
not know he will killed at this point. He probably struggling with being in jail. I do not doubt he is in turmoil as to why is he in
prison and so he sends his disciples to inquire of Jesus. The response Jesus gives is scriptural base and should give the need
hope John needs at his hour of need. Yet John is human. Yet he has a distinct call on his life as the forerunner of the Messiah.
The fact the Messiah is now in ministry, John services are no longer needed. Messiah would draw all men to himself.

John 12:32-34 KJV
(32) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
(33) This he said, signifying what death he should die.
(34) The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of
man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

Prophesy does strange things to people, it usually draws people toward a prophet. Many follow prophets because of prophesy,
yet few understand Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesy. Jesus is the Word.

Revelation 19:10 KJV
(10) And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren
that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

However with knowing this little fact there was still prophesy concerning John. Yet John had made inquiry and Jesus asked is
“did you go and see a reed shaking in the wind?” This meaning was John unsteady in faith this was contrary to John. Let
examine the prophesy Christ spoke about concerning John.

Matthew 11:8-13 KJV
(8) But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
(9) But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
(10) For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before
thee.
(11) Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
(13) For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Isaiah 40:3-5 KJV
(3) The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for
our God.
(4) Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and
the rough places plain:
(5) And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Something to grasp in a spiritual since all Christian minister declare Christ. Christ being the word, but also being a physical man
and Yet God in the flesh. John was no exception, he declare who Christ was as the Messiah and yet he also preached the word
of the Lord. John was like Elijah, He was Elijah, a prophet declaring God ways among the heathen. Elijah the prophet spoke to
his people but they did not have heart toward God and their hearts melted with fire from heaven that lit the altar that heathen
god could not lit.

God’s light burns within us to bring all men and woman to God and the gospel of Christ. When you receive not the testimony of
the Messiah from the prophets and teachers and reject the truth what have you done. For this is exactly what some were doing
even at the time of Christ. Christ came and spoke to sinners and even ate and drank with them, yet John in purity did none of
those things and was said to have a devil.

Matthew 11:14-19 KJV
(14) And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
(15) He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
(16) But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
(17) And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.
(18) For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.
(19) The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans
and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Christ continues to speak of the disaster that befell those who did not believe and Yet He declares to those that believe is way is
easy. And no doubt it is for Christ requires only belief and to follow Him. God ways is not away of destruction but one of life
and liberty. A way of love. His burden is light, to just share the truth of who God is.

Matthew 11:20-30 KJV
(20) Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
(21) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in
Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
(22) But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
(23) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have
been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
(24) But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
(25) At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things
from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
(26) Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(27) All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the
Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
(28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
(30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.