John 19:30; “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
‘IT IS FINISHED’ – You can find this phrase listed in Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary with the following info – #G5055, “to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) :- accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.”
The Greek word for the phrase ‘It is finished’, is ‘tetelestai’. An interesting article on Bible.org defined it this way –
“Literally translated the word tetelestai means, “It is finished.” The word occurs in John 19:28 and 19:30 and these are the only two places in the New Testament where it occurs. … The word tetelestai was also written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times to show indicating that a bill had been paid in full. The Greek-English lexicon by Moulton and Milligan says this:
“Receipts are often introduced by the phrase [sic] tetelestai, usually written in an abbreviated manner…” (p. 630). The connection between receipts and what Christ accomplished would have been quite clear to John’s Greek-speaking readership; it would be unmistakable that Jesus Christ had died to pay for their sins.”
The cross. It’s either hated and slandered, or cherished and revered. In the twenty-first century it’s seen its fair share of mankind using it in every vile way imaginable. At one time I wasn’t immune to showing contempt for it, and still cringe when I think upon the way I behaved. It wasn’t so much the physical item (a necklace I cut apart) that concerns me now, but the malice I carried in my heart for a relic I had sworn to be an enemy thereof. While swearing allegiance to a false god, I promised my leaders I’d never pay tribute to it, yet at the same time I’d secretly go out of my way to catch a glimpse of one atop the local town churches. It was a brutal existence.
No matter what the future holds in this world, the cross will forever stand as the symbol of what Christ Jesus did for mankind. PTL!
When we read our Bibles and come upon any word that speaks of Jesus’ death, it’d be impossible for the Christian not to think about the cross. It’s so integral in the gospel message, that it serves as a voice of warning for us to beware of pseudo-Christian groups who don’t embrace it as well (i.e., Mormons, JW’s, and Christian Scientists to name a few.).
The word ‘cross’ is in the Bible only 28 times, while some form of the word crucify is used 46 times. Still other verses speak of it as a foreshadowing to things not yet then known. (Deut. 21:23.) Although these specific words aren’t used as frequently as other words might be, the entire Bible points directly to this one event in history which clearly changed the way mankind marks the passage of time.
Today we’re looking at 59 fulfilled prophecies of Jesus’ sacrificial death for us on the cross. Without a doubt, the classic passages in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, serve as benchmarks of Jesus’ future death and suffering. The time they were written makes it all the more remarkable! (BC 700 and BC 1000 respectively.)
Fulfilled prophecies are just one of the ways we can know, with assurance, the Bible is inspired of God. Their fulfillment testifies of His love, and serve as proof that what He says, will indeed come to pass.
Here we go – be blessed my friend! We’re praying you take time out of the busy days ahead to reflect and thank Him who loved us so much!
As a side note: For the Mormons & the two JW’s who showed up on my doorstep this week –
The English language doesn’t contain the correct word for the anguish in my heart for you. I am so saddened each time I think about the spiritual void you don’t realize is there. As I just pointed out, the fulfilled prophecies are just one way to know we can trust God’s written word in the format we have it today.
I’m on my knees this holiday season praying you’ll at least ponder the scriptures listed below and wonder how they could all be wrong. I pray God will open your mind to being intellectually honest with yourself. I strongly encourage you to not just take my word for it, but investigate these things on your own through the use of dictionaries, and even history books.
Ask yourself;
What info did Joseph Smith use to determine the Bible is corrupt?
Where is the extraneous documentation, apart from the LDS Church, that proves Christianity turned into the whores of Babylon as it says in 1 Nephi 14:10?
While I know it’s frowned upon to go into Christian bookstores, there are libraries, and obviously the internet, at your disposal that can, and does provide reliable, honest information about historical events from around the world. 2 Timothy 2:15 says to study to show thyself approved and don’t be ashamed. Reading history books isn’t equivalent to reading porn. God wants for you to know who He is! Know that we’re praying for you!
Messiah Suffered while Reconciling Men to God
Messiah Sacrificed on Same Mountain God Tested Abraham
Lamb without Blemish
Blood of the Lamb Saves from Wrath
Christ is our Passover
Not a Bone of the Lamb Broken
The Blood-the life of the Flesh
Christ’s Death for Us Fulfilled Scripture
Cursed is He who Hangs on a Tree
Christ, our Kinsman, Redeemed Us
Messiah Cried Out to God
Forsaken by God
Messiah, Anguished, would Pray without Ceasing
Oppressed and Afflicted
Messiah Mocked, People Shake Their Heads
Mockers would say, “He Trusted God, Let Him Deliver Him”
Messiah Surrounded by Evil Spirits
Messiah’s Heart Burst, Flowing with Blood & Water
Messiah Crucified
Messiah would Thirst
Messiah would Thirst Shortly before Death
Pierced Hands and Feet
Messiah Surrounded by Gentiles at Crucifixion
Messiah Surrounded by Jews at Crucifixion
Messiah’s Hands and Feet Pierced
Messiah’s Bones Won’t Be Broken
None of Messiah’s Bones Broken
People Stared at Messiah During Crucifixion
Messiah’s Garments Divided
Lots Cast for Messiah’s Clothes
Acquaintances Fled from Him
None of the Messiah’s Bones Broken
False Witnesses Rose Up Against Him
Messiah Offered Gall and Vinegar
Messiah Thirsted
Messiah Prayed for Enemies
Messiah Mocked by People Shaking Their Heads
He was scourged
Others Come to Life at His Death
Heaven Clothed in Black at His Humiliation
Messiah’s Face Beaten and Spit Upon
Messiah’s Face Disfigured from Beatings
Rejected of Men
Messiah would have Great Sorrow and Grief
Messiah Thought to be Cursed by God
Messiah’s Back Whipped
Killed as a Sacrifice for Sins of His People
Like a Lamb to Slaughter
Messiah would be Confined and Persecuted
Messiah Killed
Buried in a Rich Man’s Grave
Condemned and Killed with Criminals
Messiah Grouped with Criminals
Messiah Killed
Darkened Skies on a Clear Day
Betrayed for Thirty Pieces of Silver
Messiah’s Body Pierced
Messiah Died a Violent Death
Jesus. The Lamb of God.
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