To: PROLIFE who wrote (23377 ) 12/18/1998 10:31:00 PM From: Emile Vidrine Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 39621
The sons of Abraham redeemed.....1. The prophets fortell of God's redemption of ancient Israel and mankind's redemption in Christ. Jeremiah speaks of the days when the children of God would no longer celebrate the physical redemption in Egypt( a mere shadow and symbol of God's perfect spiritual redemption ), but would instead celebrate the great spiritual redemption and regathering of the children of God in the Church. [Jer 23:5] "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [Jer 23:6] In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.' [Jer 23:7] "Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when men shall no longer say, 'As the LORD lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,' [Jer 23:8] but 'As the LORD lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.' Then they shall dwell in their own land." 2. David prophecies that God would give his righteouness to his royal son and the glory of God would fill the whole earth. [Pss 72:1] Give the king thy justice, O God, and thy righteousness to the royal son! [Pss 72:12] For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. [Pss 72:13] He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. [Pss 72:18] Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. [Pss 72:19] Blessed be his glorious name for ever; may his glory fill the whole earth! Amen and Amen! 3. During this great Church celebration of the Birth of Christ, we once more go through the great plan of redemption that God has worked through Christ Jesus. It is a time to give glory to God for honoring his Word in the old covenant and a time to celebrate the New Covenant in Jesus's Blood that established us as the sons of God. [Mat 1:18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; [Mat 1:19] and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. [Mat 1:20] But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; [Mat 1:21] she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." [Mat 1:22] All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: [Mat 1:23] "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us). [Mat 1:24] When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, May the love of God fill the hearts of all those who trust in His Son for their redemption. Emile Emile