Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the apostle John. More specifically today’s passage is found in verses twenty-nine through fifty-one of this New Testament book. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-34). “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, what seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone” (John 1:35-42). “The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unot him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith to him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanel saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanel answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1:43-51). When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will encounter the tremendous reality of the proclamation of John the Baptist concerning Jesus of Nazareth. If there is one thing I find absolutely incredible when reading the words found in the first and opening chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John it’s the tremendous emphasis he places on the witness and testimony concerning John the Baptist. You cannot read the words found in this passage of Scripture and not encounter the tremendous and awesome reality of the manifestation of the person of Jesus of Nazareth within the realm of time and space. As you begin reading the words presented in this opening chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will find the apostle choosing to begin his narrative and account of the life and ministry of Jesus in eternity rather than within the realm of time and space. The apostle John deliberately and intentionally chose not to begin his narrative and account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ within the realm of time and space as did the apostle Matthew and the beloved physician Luke. It would be the apostle John who chose to begin his account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in the realm of eternity as He would speak of the wonderful and powerful truth surrounding His eternity and divinity. If there is one thing we must needs pay close attention to when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture it’s the incredible presence of the witness of John the Baptist. It was indeed true the apostle John would begin with powerful words concerning the eternal and divine nature of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, in addition to this we must needs recognize and understand that within this passage of Scripture we find the presence and person of the witness concerning Christ. It wasn’t merely enough for the Word to become flesh and dwell among us for there would also need to be the presence of the witness in the earth. In all reality when you read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find the presence of the eternal and divine Word of the living God as well as the witness for and unto the person of the Messiah and the Christ. THE WITNESS AND THE WORD! We cannot afford to miss and lose sight of that which is presented in this passage of Scripture for what we can and will find is the presence of the eternal and divine Word of the living God as well as the witness which would be present and manifested in the midst of the earth. The apostle John would choose to begin His narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry by speaking of the eternal nature of the Word while also at the same time describing the witness which came to testify and proclaim the truth concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is that if you read each of the gospel narratives you will find that each of the four gospel authors presented a wonderful and beautiful picture of the witness whom the eternal Father would send before the face of the Messiah in the midst of the earth. We do in fact find in this passage of Scripture an incredibly wonderful and powerful presence of the divine and eternal Word, however, directly linked and connected to the presence of the Word is indeed and is in fact the divine witness which was sent ahead of the Word and to testify concerning the Word. What we must needs lay hold of when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture is how absolutely incredible the presence of the Word and the witness truly are. The apostle John would speak of and describe the Word which was in the beginning, the Word which was with God in the beginning and the Word which was God and yet directly linked and connected to the manifestation of that Word would be the witness of the Word. The eternal and living Father would not send the Word into the earth—or at least begin to manifest the Word unto men—without and apart from first sending a witness before that Word. There is something truly special about that which we find in this passage of Scripture for although Jesus would indeed be the eternal and divine Word of the Father there would be a witness which would come before the Word and its manifestation in the earth. You cannot read the words found in this passage of Scripture without encountering the beautiful reality of the eternal and divine Word which would come down from heaven. With this being said there is a great need for us to recognize and understand that the eternal and divine Word would be present within the earth for thirty years before it would be fully and completely manifested in the midst of the earth. Not only this but if you take the time to read the four gospel narratives you will find that before the living Word could and would be manifested in the midst of the earth there would first be the presence of the witness which would indeed present the truth concerning the Word. It is with this being said we must needs understand and recognize that the Word and the witness would indeed work in perfect unity and harmony with each other as it would be the witness which would testify and speak of the Word. Just as the Holy Spirit would not speak of Himself but would speak those things which would testify concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ neither would or could John the Baptist speak of himself nor concerning himself. I sit here today thinking about the truth concerning John the Baptist and I can’t help but consider the presence of the witness and testimony concerning the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of the earth. There would indeed be a witness and testimony concerning the eternal and living Word within the earth before He would be manifested through the person and ministry of John the Baptist. It would be John the Baptist who would be the prophetic messenger and forerunner of the Messiah and of the eternal and divine Word which would be present and manifested in the midst of the earth. This is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful truth of the witness before the manifestation of the Word as well as the witness which would be present after the manifestation of the Word. There would indeed be the witness which would be present in the midst of the earth before the Word would be manifested in the earth and there would also be another witness of the Word which would be present in the earth after the Word was removed from bodily form and presence in the midst of the earth. What’s more is that when you read and consider the words which are found in the fifth chapter of this New Testament gospel narrative you will find Jesus speaking of that which would bear witness of and testify concerning Him—namely, John the Baptist who was the prophetic witness and forerunner who went before Him, the works which He would indeed perform in the midst of the earth and even the eternal Father which was in heaven. I am absolutely convinced that we must recognize that within this passage of Scripture we find the presence and the manifestation of the eternal and divine Word of the living God in the form of human flesh, however, before that Word would and could be revealed and truly manifested in the midst of the earth it would first need a witness and one who would testify concerning it. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to that which would prepare the world and the earth for the manifestation of the Word. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider if you will the words which are found in the fifth chapter of this New Testament gospel narrative which was written by the apostle John. Within the fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we are brought face to face with the incredible and wonderful truth surrounding that which would bear witness concerning the person and presence of the eternal and living Word which would indeed be manifested in the earth. There is not a doubt in my mind that we must needs consider the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it helps to set the stage concerning the presence of the witness which we find in the earth which would speak of and testify concerning the eternal and divine Word present within the earth. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this and how absolutely incredible it truly is for it calls and draws our attention to the beautiful truth concerning that which would bear witness of the person and presence of the Word which was sent by the eternal Father into the midst of the earth. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to first present you with that which the prophet Isaiah would prophesy in the Old Testament prophetic book which bore his name. I am absolutely convinced that any discussion concerning the manifestation of the Word of the living God in the midst of the earth must needs have at the very heart of it the words which the prophet Isaiah would indeed speak and prophesy unto the southern kingdom of Judah during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah who were kings which sat upon the throne of David in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. Consider now if you will the following words which are found in both the prophetic book of Isaiah as well as the words which we see in the fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: IT shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing where to I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree. And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Isaiah 55:8-13). Within this passage of the prophetic book of Isaiah you will find the word of the LORD speaking of and declaring concerning the word spoken and sent by the living God that it shall not return unto Him void but it would accomplish that which He pleased. What’s more is that it would be according to the word of the LORD the living and eternal God would also go on to declare concerning the word which was released and spoken that it would prosper in the thing where to it was sent. This is something we must needs recognize and understand when considering the person and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ for it was He who was the eternal and divine Word released into the earth by the Father which was in heaven. Just as the spoken word from the mouth of the Father would not return unto Him void but would accomplish that which it was sent forth to accomplish and fulfill so too would the eternal and divine Word which was the person of the Lord Jesus Christ not return unto the Father who would send it void. The eternal and divine Word which would take upon Himself the form of flesh would indeed prosper in the thing whither it was sent into the earth before it would be returned unto and received by the Father. Oh there is a great need for those who consider the manifestation of the eternal and divine Word which was released by the eternal Father into the earth to truly understand that which the prophet Isaiah prophesied and spoke within this passage of Scripture for when we speak of the eternal Word we must needs understand that the Word which was spoken and released by the eternal and living God and Father would be like the rain which comes down from heaven as well as the snow which comes down from heaven and returns not from where it came from but waters the earth and causes it to bring forth and bud that it might give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. When speaking of the eternal Word which was released into the earth by the Father in heaven we must needs understand that He would be sent forth into the earth that he might give seed to the sower as well as bread to the eater. Oh when we think about and consider the words which are found in the thirteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative concerning the parable of the seed and the sower it is absolutely necessary that we recognize the seed which would be sown into the earth among men would not only be the written and spoken word which would come from the Father but it would also be the eternal and divine Word which was sent from the Father which was in heaven. It is having said this I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. Within the fifth chapter of this gospel narrative we find the persecution of Jesus by the Jews—and not only the persecution of Jesus by the Jews but also their desire to kill and put to death the person of the Lord Jesus because He had not only broken the sabbath but also said that God was His Father. That which we find in this passage of Scripture must needs be carefully considered for it presents us with the awesome and wonderful witness concerning the Word which would be released into the earth—the witness of the Father, the witness of the works and the witness of John the Baptist himself who would be sent before and ahead of the Word that he might bear witness to and of the Word. The Word would be released into the midst of the earth thirty years prior to be being publicly manifested and demonstrated and before it would and could be released and made known unto those who were present during that generation there would first need to be the witness which would testify and speak of the Word. The Word which would become flesh and dwell among us would remain in obscurity in the midst of the earth for thirty years before the witness would be brought forth for the witness would precede the manifestation of the Word. THE WITNESS WOULD PRECEDE THE MANIFESTATION OF THE WORD! Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John beginning with the sixteenth verse of this particular chapter: “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was His Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life: and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I received e not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” (John 5:16-47). THE WITNESS! THE WILL! THE WORKS! Oh there is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for within it we find Jesus speaking of that which bore witness of and concerning Him. As you read the words presented in this passage of Scripture you will find the Lord Jesus speaking unto the Jews in the midst of the city of Jerusalem and declaring unto them how there was one who bore witness of and concerning Him—namely, John the Baptist. It was Jesus Himself who would speak of the will of the Father and how He came not to do His own will but the will of the Father which had sent Him into the midst of the earth. This is something which warrants strong consideration when reading these words and seeking to understand what is contained within them for what we find here is a powerful declaration concerning the witness of the eternal and divine God as well as the will of the Father. It would be the divine and eternal will of the Father that would cause the Word to be released and manifested in the midst of the earth and directly linked and connected to the Word would be the witness of one who was sent before Him and before His face. The eternal and divine Word of the Father would indeed be released in the midst of the earth to accomplish the will of the Father of and from whom it had been sent and it is this particular truth which looks back to the words which the prophet Isaiah prophesied and spoke of when he declared that the word which was spoken from and by the mouth of the Father would not return unto Him void but would accomplish that for which it was sent forth to do and to accomplish. This is something which warrants strong consideration when considering the words presented in this chapter for when speaking unto the Jews the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed speak directly unto them concerning that which bore witness of and testified concerning Him—namely, John the Baptist who would come before Him, the works which He would perform in the midst of the earth and the Father Himself. The Father, the works which the Lord did and John the Baptist would all bear witness and testify concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. I firmly believe that any discussion of the manifestation of the divine and eternal Word must have directly linked and connected to it the presence of the witness which would come before Him in the midst of the earth. The eternal Father would release into the earth the Word which would become flesh and dwell among us and that Word would be present in the midst of the earth for thirty years before the witness unto and of the Word would be manifested in the earth. Oh there would be the angelic proclamation concerning the birth and manifestation of the Word as it was mentioned by Luke in the gospel narrative he wrote for not only would there be the angelic declaration and proclamation concerning the birth and manifested on of the eternal and divine Word but there would also be the angelic witness and testimony unto the lowly shepherds which were present in the midst of the field. What’s more is there would be the witness of Mary through the song of praise she sang, there would be the witness if Simeon, there would be the witness of Anna and there would be the witness of Elisabeth herself concerning the manifestation of the Word which was present in the midst of the earth. It is absolutely necessary we recognize and pay close attention to this for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the manifestation of the eternal and divine Word which was present in the midst of the earth. The Word would be released by the Father into the midst of the earth and that Word would be present in Nazareth for thirty years after the angelic declaration and proclamation of Gabriel and the heavenly host before the eternal and living Father would raise up the witness of John the Baptist. There would indeed be the witness of the angel Gabriel and the angelic host, however, it would appear that for the next thirty years there would be absolutely no proclamation or declaration concerning the Word. The Word would indeed be born of a virgin and would take upon Himself the form of human flesh and yet for thirty years there would be absolutely no witness concerning Him. For thirty years the eternal and divine Word would remain in the midst of the earth in obscurity until the time came when the person of John the Baptist would indeed be revised up in the midst of the earth to bear witness to the Word. If you want to truly understand the words which are found in the first and opening chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative which was written by the apostle John I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to consider the different passages of Scripture found within the four gospel narratives concerning this prophetic forerunner and witness of the eternal and divine Word which would come forth from the Father in the midst of the earth. Each of the four gospel authors would make their own wonderful and beautiful declarations concerning John the Baptist and that which he would accomplish and fulfill in the midst of the earth. There is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found in the four gospel narratives which were written concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ who was indeed the eternal and divine Word released into the earth. It is in these gospels where we find the tremendous and wonderful truth that before the Word which had already been released into the earth could be manifested and begin to accomplish that for which it had been sent there would need to be the prophetic witness unto the Word. Stop and consider for a moment that before the eternal and divine Word which took on flesh and was released into the earth could be publicly revealed and manifested there would need to the presence of the witness of John the Baptist whose sole purpose was to testify unto and concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and bear witness unto the Word. It would be John the Baptist who would be the witness before the manifestation of the Word and it would be through John the Baptist the earth, that generation and the people would be prepared to receive the Word which was indeed manifested unto and among them. You will notice in the first and opening chapter the language used by the apostle John was not only those who believed on His name but also those who received Him would indeed be given power to become the sons of God. This is something we must needs recognize and pay attention to for it calls our attention to the beautiful truth concerning John the Baptist and how he was sent into the earth to bear witness unto and for the eternal and divine Word which was released into the earth. Consider if you will the following words which are found in the four New Testament gospel narratives of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as they were written and recorded by the four gospel authors. Within each of these four gospels we find wonderful and powerful language concerning the entrance of the eternal and divine Word of the Father in the midst of the earth and how prior to the manifestation of that Word there would be a divine messenger and prophetic forerunner who would be raised up to testify and bear witness to the Word which had been released unto and among them. What’s more is that it would be the witness and testimony of this prophetic forerunner and messenger that would help to bring about the emphatic declaration and proclamation of the declaration of the eternal Father who would speak from heaven and not only declare concerning Jesus that He was His beloved Son but also that it was in Him who He was well pleased. With this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the four New Testament gospel narratives beginning to read with and from the New Testament gospel written by the apostle Matthew: “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his heat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shores I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and father his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Matthew 3:1-12). “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John for bad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (John 3:13-17). “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? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whole it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a great than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the k indomitable of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:7-15). Having considered these words which were written by the apostle Matthew in the gospel narrative bearing his name I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first and opening chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by John Mark beginning with the first verse of the first chapter: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptized in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; and preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost” (Mark 1:1-8). “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:9-11). Here are the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke beginning to read with and from the first and opening verse of the chapter concerning John the Baptist and the ministry of the forerunner and witness in the midst of the earth: “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea, and of the region of Trachonities, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptized of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axes is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Luke 3:1-9). “And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages” (Luke 3:10-14). “And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying, unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison” (Luke 3:15-20). “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased” (Luke 3:21-22). Each of these passages which were written and recorded by the New Testament gospel authors Matthew, Mark and Luke present us with a truly wonderful and beautiful picture of the prophetic messenger and forerunner of the Messiah. In all reality I would dare say that these three gospel narratives and accounts written concerning the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ prepare and make us ready for that which we find in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. It is in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we are brought face to face with the absolutely incredible reality of John the Baptist and the witness which He bore concerning and before the manifestation of the eternal Word sent from the Father. In the opening verses of the first chapter of this New Testament gospel narrative we find the apostle John emphatically declaring how the Word was in the beginning, how the Word was with God and how the Word was God before going on to declare that the same was in the beginning with God. What you will find within the first chapter—and not only the first chapter but also the third chapter of this New Testament gospel narrative is an incredibly beautiful picture of the interaction which John the Baptist had together with the Jews and those who would come unto his baptism. IN the first and opening verses of this New Testament gospel we find the apostle John speaking of the eternal and divine Word which was sent by the Father and it would be in this first and opening chapter we find the apostle John going on to write how the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. It was the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us that allowed us to behold his glory which was the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Oh this is something we must needs understand and acknowledge for it helps us to understand the truly wonderful and powerful reality of the witness which would testify and speak of the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us. If you read the words presented in the first chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John you can and will encounter the truly wonderful and powerful truth of the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us. With this being said, however, we must recognize and understand that before the Word would indeed be brought forth and publicly revealed unto men there would first need to be the presence of the witness. It would be the witness which would indeed prepare the hearts of men to receive the words which would be brought forth by the eternal and divine Word which was sent into the earth by the Father which was in heaven. The ministry of John the Baptist would indeed be that which would prepare the hearts and minds of men through repentance, through confession of sins and through baptism in water for the coming and arrival of the Word which was sent by the Father. Oh with this in mind I find it absolutely astonishing to consider the fact that the eternal and living God would indeed be manifested in the midst of the earth and would take upon Himself the form of human flesh and yet the Word would be encased in human flesh for thirty years before anyone would even know it was present in the midst of them. The Word would take upon Himself the form of flesh and blood when He was born of a virgin in the town of Bethlehem and the Word would grow into and become a man over the course of thirty years as it was written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. It was the beloved physician Luke who gave us the time frame for the emergence and manifestation of the Word which was sent by the Father and it is based on the words which Luke wrote which call and draw our attention to the truth surrounding the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us for thirty years encased and enclosed in human flesh without anyone being any the wise that He was indeed present among us. With all of this in mind and having been said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the first and third chapters of this New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. It is in these two chapters we encounter and are brought face to face with the incredibly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the ministry and witness of John the Baptist who was indeed called, ordained, appointed, chosen and sent by the eternal and living God to bear witness and be a testimony of and for the Messiah, the Christ and the eternal and living God. What’s more is John the Baptist would indeed be born for the specific and sole purpose of bearing witness to the eternal and divine Word which would become flesh and dwell among us. Here in these chapters we encounter the absolutely astounding truth concerning John the Baptist who was indeed sent to bear witness of the Light which was released into the earth—the Light which would shine in the midst of the darkness and which the darkness would not comprehend. Consider the following words found in this New Testament gospel narrative beginning with the sixth verse of the first and opening chapter: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his. Name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:6-18). “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? That we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptized thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet. John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing” (John 1:19-28). “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and reimagining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-33). “Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:35-36). “After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must declares. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:22-36). It is absolutely necessary we recognize and pay attention to the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for what we find within them call and draw our attention to the incredible truth that is found concerning the witness and testimony of John the Baptist. It was indeed John the Baptist who was called, ordained, appointed and sent by the living and eternal God to bear witness and to testify concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The eternal and living Father would send forth the eternal and divine Word into the midst of the earth and before that Word would and could be publicly manifested unto men there would first need to be the witness unto the Word. I read the words which are found in this passage of scripture and I am brought face to face with the incredible truth that the eternal and divine Word would indeed become flesh and would be manifested unto and among us and yet prior to the Word ever being publicly revealed through an open heaven, through the descent of the Holy Spirit and even through the voice of the Father it would be borne witness of by John the Baptist. It’s important for us to pay attention to the ministry of John the Baptist for this prophet was the voice of one crying in the wilderness preparing men and women for the arrival of the Messiah. It would be John the Baptist who would indeed be that one who was sent from God as the apostle John so eloquently wrote in the first chapter of this New Testament gospel. It would be in the sixth verse of the first and opening chapter we find the apostle John proclaiming and declaring how there was a man sent from God whose name was John and how this man came for a witness to bear witness of the Light that all men through Him might believe. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for when we think about the manifestation and revelation of the Word which took upon Himself the form of human flesh there is a great need to recognize that before the Word was publicly declared and revealed there would indeed be the prophetic witness to the Word—a witness that would speak of and testify concerning the Word. John the Baptist would indeed be that one who would beautifully and wonderfully proclaim the truth concerning the divine and eternal Word which would be manifested in the midst of the earth as he would prepare and make ready the hearts of men and women for the revelation of the Word. The more I think about the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist the more I am brought face to face with the tremendous truth surrounding the witness that would come after his decease—and not only after His decease but also after the decease, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus. If you turn and direct your attention to the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of this same New Testament gospel you will find Jesus in the upper room together with His disciples speaking unto them of a witness who would speak of and testify concerning Him after He departed from this earth and returned unto His Father who was in heaven. There would indeed be a witness that would speak of and testify concerning Jesus as the Light, the Lamb of God and the Son of God before He was publicly manifested and revealed unto men and there would be a greater witness that would be manifested in the days which would come after the suffering, after the death, after the burial, after the resurrection and after the ascension of the Lord Jesus. In the days following the ascension of the Lord Jesus—interestingly enough only ten days after the ascension—there would be the manifestation and arrival of the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. It would be on the day of Pentecost Jesus would—from the right hand of the Father—send the promise of the Father which would indeed be the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. This is something we must needs understand for just as Johns the Baptist would not come into the earth to bear witness of himself neither would the Holy Spirit enter into the earth to bear witness and speak of Himself. John the Baptist would be sent from God to bear witness of the Light that through Him all men might believe and yet there would be another who would come in the days after the ascension of the Word as it would return unto heaven. This person and presence would not speak of Himself but would speak of and testify concerning the person and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is that it would be this person and presence of the Spirit who would through the disciples and followers of Jesus Christ speak of and testify concerning the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us. Having written these words I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the truly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. There is a great need for us to recognize that which is found in chapters fourteen through sixteen of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John for within these chapters we find the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit who was manifested in the earth. Before the Lord Jesus would indeed be publicly revealed and manifested it would be John the Baptist who would prepare and make ready a people for Him and it would be in the upper room as Jesus prepared His disciples for His ascension unto the right hand of the Father in heaven He would prepare them for the arrival of another—one who would indeed come alongside them and who would be the Comforter. I am absolutely convinced we must needs recognize and pay attention to these words for I firmly believe that just as John the Baptist was the voice of one crying in the wilderness preparing the hearts and minds of men and women for the arrival of the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among them so also would the Holy Spirit bear witness and testify concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s more is that just as John the Baptist was indeed the voice of one crying in the wilderness preparing men and women for the first coming and appearing of the Lord Jesus so also would there be an entire generation in the Last Days who through the anointing, the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit would testify and speak of the Messiah who was indeed the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible reality of the work of the person and presence of the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit would indeed be the voice from heaven speaking of and testifying concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider if you will the following words which are found in chapters fourteen through sixteen of the gospel written by the apostle John concerning the arrival and manifestation of the Holy Spirit: “If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:15-18). “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:23-26). “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I” (John 14:28). “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: bAnd ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:20-27). “But now I go may way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. NEverhtless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: OF sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:7-11). “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot hear them now. Howbeit when he, The Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father” (John 16:12-16). With these words our Lord emphatically declared unto His disciples that if He departed from this world and returned unto His Father who was in heaven He would send the promise of the Father who was indeed the person of the Holy Spirit. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for when we think about and speak of the person of the Holy Spirit we must needs remember that he did not come to speak of Himself but came to bear witness and testify of those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in the final verses of the fifteenth chapter the Lord declares how He would send unto them from the Father the Spirit of truth which would proceed from the Father and who would testify of Him. What we must needs realize is that immediately after this we find the Lord Jesus going on to not only declare how the Spirit would testify of and concerning Him but also that the disciples would bear witness because they had been with Him from the beginning. Please don’t miss and lose sight of this for there is an intrinsic link and connection between the witness and testifying of the Spirit and the witness of the disciples themselves. There is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to this for prior to the revelation and manifestation of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father there would be the witness of John the Baptist. John the Baptist would not come speaking of himself and even when men asked him whether or not he were the Christ he plainly and emphatically declared unto them that he was not. The Pharisees would send certain of the Jews unto John the Baptist inquiring of him as to who he was and it would be John the Baptist who would indeed respond unto them by simply declaring that he was the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Not only would John the Baptist bear witness and testimony concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ but He would also plainly declare that he was not the Messiah nor the Christ. I find it absolutely remarkable and astonishing that John the Baptist would indeed come to bear witness of the Light and within the first chapter of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John—not only do we find him testifying that Jesus was the Son of God but we also find Him testifying that Jesus was the Lamb of God which took away the sins of the world. Not only this but it was revealed unto John the Baptist that He whom he saw the Spirit descend and light upon was He who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Oh there would indeed be a period of time when John the Baptist would speak of and testify concerning the coming Messiah and Christ whom he knew not, however, that would all change at the waters of the Jordan River when Jesus came to be baptized of him. It would be there at the Jordan River where the heaven was opened unto John and he would not only hear the voice of the Father proclaim that Jesus was His beloved Son in whom He was well pleased but would also see the Spirit descending upon Him in the bodily form as a dove. Oh there is a tremendous significance in the baptism of the Lord Jesus for it would be there at the Jordan River where John the Baptist would experience the fulfillment of that which was spoken and revealed unto Him. It would be there at the Jordan River John the Baptist would once and for all and definitely know who the Messiah and Christ was and would begin bearing witness that this Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Son of the living God. As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the incredible witness of John the Baptist in the midst of the first chapter of this gospel. It is in the first and opening chapter of this gospel we encounter and are brought face to face with the incredibly wonderful truth surrounding John the Baptist and how he was not only a man who was sent from God but also that he was sent to bear witness. There would be a period of time when John the Baptist would indeed speak of one whom he did not know and yet at the Jordan River when Jesus came unto him to be baptized he would experience the witness of the living and eternal God concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It would be there at the Jordan River where John the Baptist would not only see the heavens opened but He would also see the Spirit descending upon Jesus of Nazareth in the bodily form as a dove. Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if during those first thirty years John the Baptist had suspicions concerning his cousin Jesus and if there was no concrete confirmation that He was indeed the Christ and the Messiah. In all reality there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if the purpose of Jesus coming unto John the Baptist to be baptized of him—not only to be the captain of all those who had been baptized of him in the past but also to be the captain of all those who would be baptized in the coming days and generations. What’s more is there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder if the purpose for Jesus coming unto John the Baptist to be baptized of him was that he might personally experience the heavens being opened unto the Son and see the Spirit descending upon Him in the bodily form of a dove. What’s more is that it would be there at the Jordan River where John the Baptist would also hear the voice of the Father—the voice of the One who had not only sent him to baptize but who had also spoken to him about the one upon whom the Spirit descended in the bodily form of a dove—declare that Jesus was indeed His only begotten Son in whom He is well pleased. There at the Jordan River the heavens would be opened unto Jesus and John the Baptist would receive all the confirmation needed that this Jesus was indeed the Son of the living and most High God. I find it absolutely astounding to read the words present in this passage of Scripture for within it we are brought face to face with the declaration of the apostle John that Jesus was the Word and that all things were made by Him and without Him was not any thing made that was made. It would be the apostle John who would also declare how in the person of Jesus would be life and the life was the light of men which shone in the darkness. What we must needs recognize when reading the words in this chapter is that it calls and draws our attention to the declarations which John the Baptist would make concerning the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. It would be John the Baptist who would not only come to bear witness of the Light but would also profess that He was the Son of God and the Lamb of God. It would be in verses twenty-nine through thirty-four where we find John the Baptist professing and proclaiming concerning Jesus that he was indeed the Lamb of God and the Son of God. This is something we must needs recognize when reading this first and opening chapter of the gospel written by the apostle John as before we read of Jesus performing a single miracle we read of His being the Word, we read of His being the Light, we read of Him being the Son of God, we read of Him being the Lamb of God and we even find Him being referenced and referred to as the Christ and the Messiah. It would be Andrew who was Simon Peter’s brother who would declare unto him how they had found the one who was the Messiah and it was Nathanael who would exclaim that Jesus was the Son of God. Oh that we would read the words presented in this passage of Scripture and encounter the truly wonderful and powerful truth concerning who Jesus is—not only as the divine and eternal Word who became flesh and dwelt among us but who He truly is within our hearts and lives.