Jesus is mentioned in scripture as our Forerunner...what does it mean...?
in Scripture ? Now i know that hundreds of years ago the captain of every ship knew the dangers of the sea! The greatest danger was coming into port or a harbor that he did not know. If he came into a harbor in a storm, in a fog, or with the wind blowing strongly, he needed to know where the rocks were,... show more in Scripture ?
Now i know that hundreds of years ago the captain of every ship knew the dangers of the sea! The greatest danger was coming into port or a harbor that he did not know. If he came into a harbor in a storm, in a fog, or with the wind blowing strongly, he needed to know where the rocks were, where th shoals and the reef's were hidden. And so the captain of the ship would summon the forerunner...
Every ship had a forerunner. A forerunner was a man who was an expert swimmer. He would tie a very light rope around his waist. They knew the harbor was up ahead but didn't know where to anchor the boat into the water, swim through the water and find out where the reefs and the rocks and the dangerous spots were. When he found the right spot to anchor the boat, he would tug on the line.
The with all of his strength, he would pull the anchor over to the spot and fasten it. The captain was sure that the boat would never be smashed on the rocks because the anchor that held the boat was secure.
How does this picture pro tray Christ? All thoughts welcome.
Now i know that hundreds of years ago the captain of every ship knew the dangers of the sea! The greatest danger was coming into port or a harbor that he did not know. If he came into a harbor in a storm, in a fog, or with the wind blowing strongly, he needed to know where the rocks were, where th shoals and the reef's were hidden. And so the captain of the ship would summon the forerunner...
Every ship had a forerunner. A forerunner was a man who was an expert swimmer. He would tie a very light rope around his waist. They knew the harbor was up ahead but didn't know where to anchor the boat into the water, swim through the water and find out where the reefs and the rocks and the dangerous spots were. When he found the right spot to anchor the boat, he would tug on the line.
The with all of his strength, he would pull the anchor over to the spot and fasten it. The captain was sure that the boat would never be smashed on the rocks because the anchor that held the boat was secure.
How does this picture pro tray Christ? All thoughts welcome.
Best Answer: This is a great question, I really like you example of a forerunner, I didn't know that about ships, I haven't heard of that before. But it is a fitting example because Jesus is the forerunner in so many ways. A forerunner is one that goes ahead, and it also indicates that others will follow, and not only that others will follow but that the way is made clear, and safe, so others will be successful following the forerunner.
Here is some scripture that shows Jesus Christ as the forerunner:
Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
God was willing more abundantly ( I love this, more abundantly, the Lord showed us with so much more than what was necessary, an overflowing truth that we could know without a doubt Who He is, and what He said, and that we can have this rock solid faith in Him ) to show unto us, the heirs of promise ( all that are in Christ Jesus ) the immutability ( unchangeable, not capable of change, ) of His counsel confirmed it by an oath:
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
That by two immutable ( unchangeable ) things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong consolation, ( if we know that God never changes, but is the same always, and we know that it is impossible for God to lie, then we now have such a strong consolation, such comfort and such a rock solid foundation for us to believe, because if we know that He doesn't change, and it's impossible for God to lie, then we also know that what ever God says He will absolutely do, without fail. ) who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; ( it is us as believers, as heirs to the promise, that have fled for refuge. Fled shows that we ran or turned away from the danger, sin and the things of the world, and even Hell; And for refuge shows that we seek shelter, protection a safe place from all of those things. " To lay hold upon the hope set before us " Praise God, to lay hold upon, shows something that is so real, so clearly seen that we can take hold or grab onto it. "The hope that is set before us", what is the riches of this hope? It is Christ Jesus that is our hope, and it is Him that we have our hope in, we have such precious promises in Him, we hope because we have heard the precious promises and know that God will do it, but our eyes haven't seen them come to pass as of yet, we are desiring a city not built by man, but one the Lord built, where the Lord is, and where we will also be; And we hope because we have not seen with our eyes, because what we see it is no longer hope, because we don't hope for what we have, but we know what God said is true so we patiently wait for it.
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Romans 8: 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
" Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; " This hope that we have in the Lord is like an anchor for our soul, it is both sure ( certain, trustworthy, safe from harm ) and steadfast. ( Immovable, firmly fixed in place ) Hope is so vital to us as believers, and it is by this hope that we have in Christ Jesus that we enter into that inside the veil, this hope is how we draw closer to God.
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
" Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. " We see Jesus as the forerunner in this verse, He entered into that inside the the veil for us, He is the only One Who could have done this for us, and if He didn't prepare the way for us, ( He is the way , John 14:6 ) we couldn't enter into that inside of the veil, which is into the presence of God, into the throne of His mercy and grace, into the city of the Living God.
" That within the veil " refers to the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, it was a tent that was a sanctuary where the Lord would dwell among them, and where they would carry out their services to God, like prayers, offerings, and sacrifices.
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
We see how the Lord spoke to Moses and instructed Moses to make it according to all that Lord had shown him. This is important because Moses seen the Heavenly things that these were to be patterned from, the things that was on earth, the Tabernacle was a shadow, or a reflection of the true Tabernacle in Heaven, and so was all of the ordinances and all things that was made for the Tabernacle an example, a shadow, a reflection of the Heavenly ones. If you think about how the Tabernacle was a tent, it was movable, and wasn't always in the same place, this showed that it wasn't the final one, if not the final one then there would be another one to come, it was just in place until the promise of Jesus Christ was fulfilled, which He did make the way for us to enter into the true sanctuary, the Holiest of all.
The Tabernacle was a tent, and inside of it was the table, candlestick, showbread and all things that they needed to carry out their daily service to the Lord, it was called the sanctuary, and inside of it was another one, that had a veil around it, it was called the Holiest of all. Inside of the Holiest of all was the Ark of the Covenant, which had the golden pot with manna inside, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the Covenant; And sitting on the Ark of God was the mercyseat, which was made of pure gold, and had two cherubims ( angels ) which were made of gold, and their wings covered the mercy seat and their faces looked at one another and toward the mercyseat. ( Exodus 25 )
It was here that the Lord would meet with them and commune with them.
Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
The daily services, prayer, burning incense, offerings, and sacrifices were carried out daily in the first tabernacle, but into the holiest of all, ( that within the veil ) the high priest went in only once a year to offer sacrifice for his sin and for the sins of the people. This signified that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifested while the first tabernacle was standing.
Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
It was Jesus Christ our High Priest, that offered Himself, the Lamb of God without blemish, to take away our sins, and to purge our conscience of dead works so that we can serve the Living God. And He entered into the Holiest of all for us, not the one in the earthly tabernacle but into Heaven itself and in the presence of God.
Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Here is some scripture that shows Jesus Christ as the forerunner:
Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
God was willing more abundantly ( I love this, more abundantly, the Lord showed us with so much more than what was necessary, an overflowing truth that we could know without a doubt Who He is, and what He said, and that we can have this rock solid faith in Him ) to show unto us, the heirs of promise ( all that are in Christ Jesus ) the immutability ( unchangeable, not capable of change, ) of His counsel confirmed it by an oath:
Malachi 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
That by two immutable ( unchangeable ) things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong consolation, ( if we know that God never changes, but is the same always, and we know that it is impossible for God to lie, then we now have such a strong consolation, such comfort and such a rock solid foundation for us to believe, because if we know that He doesn't change, and it's impossible for God to lie, then we also know that what ever God says He will absolutely do, without fail. ) who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; ( it is us as believers, as heirs to the promise, that have fled for refuge. Fled shows that we ran or turned away from the danger, sin and the things of the world, and even Hell; And for refuge shows that we seek shelter, protection a safe place from all of those things. " To lay hold upon the hope set before us " Praise God, to lay hold upon, shows something that is so real, so clearly seen that we can take hold or grab onto it. "The hope that is set before us", what is the riches of this hope? It is Christ Jesus that is our hope, and it is Him that we have our hope in, we have such precious promises in Him, we hope because we have heard the precious promises and know that God will do it, but our eyes haven't seen them come to pass as of yet, we are desiring a city not built by man, but one the Lord built, where the Lord is, and where we will also be; And we hope because we have not seen with our eyes, because what we see it is no longer hope, because we don't hope for what we have, but we know what God said is true so we patiently wait for it.
Colossians 1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Romans 8: 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
" Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; " This hope that we have in the Lord is like an anchor for our soul, it is both sure ( certain, trustworthy, safe from harm ) and steadfast. ( Immovable, firmly fixed in place ) Hope is so vital to us as believers, and it is by this hope that we have in Christ Jesus that we enter into that inside the veil, this hope is how we draw closer to God.
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
" Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. " We see Jesus as the forerunner in this verse, He entered into that inside the the veil for us, He is the only One Who could have done this for us, and if He didn't prepare the way for us, ( He is the way , John 14:6 ) we couldn't enter into that inside of the veil, which is into the presence of God, into the throne of His mercy and grace, into the city of the Living God.
" That within the veil " refers to the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, it was a tent that was a sanctuary where the Lord would dwell among them, and where they would carry out their services to God, like prayers, offerings, and sacrifices.
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
We see how the Lord spoke to Moses and instructed Moses to make it according to all that Lord had shown him. This is important because Moses seen the Heavenly things that these were to be patterned from, the things that was on earth, the Tabernacle was a shadow, or a reflection of the true Tabernacle in Heaven, and so was all of the ordinances and all things that was made for the Tabernacle an example, a shadow, a reflection of the Heavenly ones. If you think about how the Tabernacle was a tent, it was movable, and wasn't always in the same place, this showed that it wasn't the final one, if not the final one then there would be another one to come, it was just in place until the promise of Jesus Christ was fulfilled, which He did make the way for us to enter into the true sanctuary, the Holiest of all.
The Tabernacle was a tent, and inside of it was the table, candlestick, showbread and all things that they needed to carry out their daily service to the Lord, it was called the sanctuary, and inside of it was another one, that had a veil around it, it was called the Holiest of all. Inside of the Holiest of all was the Ark of the Covenant, which had the golden pot with manna inside, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the Covenant; And sitting on the Ark of God was the mercyseat, which was made of pure gold, and had two cherubims ( angels ) which were made of gold, and their wings covered the mercy seat and their faces looked at one another and toward the mercyseat. ( Exodus 25 )
It was here that the Lord would meet with them and commune with them.
Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
The daily services, prayer, burning incense, offerings, and sacrifices were carried out daily in the first tabernacle, but into the holiest of all, ( that within the veil ) the high priest went in only once a year to offer sacrifice for his sin and for the sins of the people. This signified that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifested while the first tabernacle was standing.
Hebrews 9:6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
It was Jesus Christ our High Priest, that offered Himself, the Lamb of God without blemish, to take away our sins, and to purge our conscience of dead works so that we can serve the Living God. And He entered into the Holiest of all for us, not the one in the earthly tabernacle but into Heaven itself and in the presence of God.
Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Source(s): Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9: 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
So it is through Jesus Christ and what He has done for us that we can enter into the Holiest of all, and into the presence of God. I would like to share another one of my favorite verses, I hope all will prayerfully consider it, thanks for reading and thanks again for asking this.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Praise God! I thank God that we can enter into the Holiest of all through the blood of Jesus.
with much love and sincerity in Christ,
andrew
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
Hebrews 9: 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
So it is through Jesus Christ and what He has done for us that we can enter into the Holiest of all, and into the presence of God. I would like to share another one of my favorite verses, I hope all will prayerfully consider it, thanks for reading and thanks again for asking this.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Praise God! I thank God that we can enter into the Holiest of all through the blood of Jesus.
with much love and sincerity in Christ,
andrew
andrew (one of His sheep) · 6 years ago
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Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. Zeph. 2:3.
There is no sadder spectacle than that of those who have been purchased by the blood of Christ . . . turning to jest the messages graciously sent to them in the gospel, denying the divinity of Christ, and trusting to their own finite reasoning, and to arguments that have no foundation. When tested with affliction, when brought face to face with death, all these fallacies they have cherished will be melted away like frost before the sun.
The Christian's hope is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast, and entereth into that which is within the veil, whither Christ the forerunner is for us entered. We have an individual work to do to prepare for the great events that are before us.Source(s): What Made Him Great?
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. Matt. 11:11.
What was it that made John the Baptist great? He closed his mind to the mass of tradition presented by the teachers of the Jewish nation, and opened it to the wisdom which comes from above.
John the Baptist was not fitted for his high calling as the forerunner of Christ by association with the great men of the nation in the schools of Jerusalem. He went out into the wilderness, where the customs and doctrines of men could not mold his mind, and where he could hold unobstructed communion with God.cooky54 · 6 years ago
Forerunner because He was the first and the last the beginning and the end. He was before we were and He will be after we are long gone. God bless all.
He is the first person resurrected from the dead. And if I follow him, I too will be resurected. He is the forerunner.
Ok, so I didn't read your whole essay following your question, cause I just don't have that kind of attention span, but I'd imagine he'd never be the underdog in anything.
But you know, people root for the underdog all the time.
Wow. That picture of the forerunner going ahead of the ship truly is a wonderful one for us to keep in our hearts. How our Lord loves us sister. I also say a resounding AMEN to our brother Andrew's portion concerning this matter. Like him, I too never knew of the forerunner and of ships in this way at all. I just praise the Lord that all these rich examples can be used to show us something of Who He is to us in our daily lives.
The Book of Hebrews touches on this matter of Jesus, being OUR Forerunner.
Chapter 6:20 shares.
" Where the Forerunner, Jesus, has entered for us, having become forever a High Priest according to the order of Melchisedec.
As the Forerunner, the Lord Jesus took the lead to pass through the stormy sea and enter the heavenly haven to be the High Priest for us according to the order of Melchisedec. As such a Forerunner, He is the Author of our salvation. As the Forerunner, He cut the way to glory, and as the Author, He entered into Glory!
Heb 2:10
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in leading many sons into glory, to make the Author of their salvation pefect through sufferings.
The Lord loves us so much. As His many brothers, the many sons we are now those who have such a hope.
He is the Forerunner, the one who is our Captain, Originator, Inaugurator, Leader, Pioneer.
The way that we had to take as sinners, was one of sin and death. But this One, the Lord Jesus, became sin for us. He shed His precious blood and it is in this Blood that we have boldness to enter in before God at the throne of Grace.
The Lord ran each and every one of our courses. As a Man on the earth, He was touched with all the feelings of our weaknesses, tempted in every way that we were and the god of this world, satan, found NOTHING in Him. He was tried, tested and came out victiorious. Not only did He overcome the world, but also the ruler of the world, satan. This Lord as the Forerunner, went ahead of us, He braced the stormy sea for us and because He has overcome all things and marked the way for us in His Blood, we too can be those who follow Him day by day, where our steps are ordered by Him, so that in the end, we will declare like our brother Paul,
" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" ( 2 Tim 4:7)
It is no small things that the Lord is our Forerunner and that He has accomplished this title as a Man. Today, He lives in us, as our very life and supply, so that as those coming behind Him, we would have a clear way through. Like that Vessel maneuvering through the stormy sea, we can rest in the accomplishments of our ForeRunner Jesus. I love that in this verse in Hebrews it did not say that our ForeRunner is Christ the Lord but that its Jesus.. This name Jesus speaks strongly of the Lord in His humanity. As a precious Man on the earth, the Lord braced it all for us, He took the beating for us, He took the risks for us and in us each day, He seeks those who will LOOK away from all things and UNTO Him, because He has already gone this way, He KNOWS the way and wants us to follow closely behind Him, so that He can lead us to the end of our course. Its not that we will not suffer.. we will, but with the suffering comes the Ministering Grace of our High Priest in the Heavens. We call upon His name as we run daily and He knows JUST HOW to minister His life to us to meet the need in us at that particular time.
Heb 4:15-16
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all respects like us, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the Throne of Grace, that we may receive mercy adn find grace for timely help"
Oh how I just love the Lord. Sister..how much He cares for us. I just want to share this in closing and hope that the kind of encouragment it gave to me, is the kind that it will give to you and all the dear saints here on the forum... and even to those who may have a seeking heart.
Our Lord is our Forerunner who has gone ahead of us and completed what we need to run today as believers.
He is also our Shepherd who walks right in front of us. Bidding us to walk in His steps
This dear One is also the Overseer and Bishop of our souls who sees things from a panormaic view.
And best of all..He is the Life Giving Spirit who dwells within us as our supply and our intuition and inner speaking to follow Him day by day, step by step.
How fully furnished we are as saints. It is no wonder that the Lord can make sure that the saints can declare verses as this..
2 Tim 1:12
For which cause also I suffer these things, but I am not ashamed, FOR I KNOW whom I have believed and I am PERSUADED that He is able to guard my deposit unto that day"
Each of our races are taylored and made for us by the Lord. Yet He has taken the time to Forerun each one because He knows that in Him, we can do all things. From beginning to end, He is with us.
Lord we love You!
Grace be with you dear sister.
Thank you for the fellowship and for an opportunity to share and enjoy all that we have in our Lord Jesus.
Your sis
sandy
This is a deep question, and I believe a Bible study that unveils Christ and His glory and grace is worthwhile and enriching to us all. Praise the Lord for our brethren's sharings, including Bro Andrew's and Sis Sandy's portions - rich in portraying Jesus Christ as our Forerunner and High Priest.
Thank you Sis Karen for your insightful sharing about the forerunner of a ship too - it shows the importance as well as the dangers of being a forerunner. Our Lord Jesus Christ became a forerunner for us, by going before us and bearing the various hardships, trials and dangers along the journey, to make a new and living way for us to enter God's presence, at the expense of His own life, all because He so loves us with an everlasting love. :)
I like the phrase "the anchor that held the boat was secure" because Christ is our anchor. Yes, He is not just the forerunner who swam among the dangerous rocks and against the strong waves to fasten the anchor onto secure ground. He is also the anchor who holds the boat secure, by becoming the sacrifice for all our sins and sicknesses on the cross.
"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil" Heb 6:19
Heb 6:19 tells us that Jesus is the hope, who is the anchor of our soul - as surely as Jesus is Faithful and True, our hope to receive His blessings of the righteous, is sure and steadfast. And Jesus is the forerunner who enters God's presence behind the veil, as our High Priest.
"where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" Heb 6:20
In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem temple once a year on the day of atonement, after offering the blood of bulls and goats. But in the New Covenant, Jesus has entered the true Holy of Holies - heaven itself - with His own blood. (Heb 9:12; Heb 9:24)
This happened after Jesus died and rose again, and ascended to the Father in heaven as our High Priest, offering His own blood to put away our sins once for all. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins... But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God" (Heb 10:4-12)
The act of Jesus' sitting down at the Father's right hand shows that all our sins have been purged. His work of redemption is finished. :) We cannot add to Jesus' finished work; so we simply rest in what Christ has done - by believing all our sins have been forgiven and we have been made righteous before God in Christ. (Heb 1:3; 2 Cor 5:21) :)
"then he adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" Heb 10:17
"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh..." Heb 10:19-20
When Jesus died at the cross, God tore the veil in the temple from top to bottom, showing that God has now made a new and living way for us to come boldly into His presence. In the Old Testament, people would die if they approach God's holy presence without proper sacrifices because they were sinful. But in the New Covenant, we will not die but live because our sins has been cleansed, so we can stand before God freely and boldly, solely based on Jesus' perfect offering for us that justifies us. :) And yes, the veil of the temple symbolises Jesus' body that was broken at the cross, so that our bodies will be made whole, as we partake of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Him. :)
"and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" Heb 10:21-22
God wants us to come into His presence with a true heart sprinkled from an evil conscience. That means, we are to be free from sin-consciousness. "For the worshippers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins." (Heb 10:2) In the Old Testament, the children of Israel were reminded of their sins at least once a year in those animal sacrifices on the day of atonement. But in the New Covenant, since Jesus' sacrifice has purified us once for all, we would not have any more consciousness of sins. In other words, God will not remind us of our sins anymore. So we need not have to confess our sins in order to be forgiven or to be accepted by Him or to continue in fellowship with Him. We simply come boldly before His throne in thanksgiving, conscious that we are forgiven and made righteous and holy by the blood of Jesus. We no longer have a sense of shame, guilt, condemnation or inferiority, because Jesus' blood has washed us whiter than snow. (Ps 51:7; Rom 8:1) :)
In the New Covenant, God's throne is not the throne of judgment - it is the Throne of Grace. (Heb 4:16) We can come boldly to Him, without fear of punishment or condemnation. We can freely receive His grace and mercy to help in time of need. :) Indeed, the Bible says, "the righteous are bold as a lion." (Prov 28:1) "Blessings are on the head of the righteous." (Prov 10:6) "Having been made righteous by faith in Christ, we have peace with God". (Rom 5:1) "We are blessed with believing Abraham" because we are heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ. (Rom 8:17, Gal 3:9)
It's all because of Jesus and His finished work at the cross. Worthy is the Lamb, who is the captain of our salvation. (Heb 2:10) He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Col 1:18) He is a leader and commander for the people. (Isa 55:4) In the garden of Eden after Adam's fall, no one could enter to access the tree of life because the cherubim guarded the way with a flaming sword that turn in every way. (Gen 3:24) But Jesus became a forerunner for us, and at the cross, the sword of God's justice and righteousness went through Him - and Jesus' sacrifice has so satisfied God's judgment that today, the way to the Tree of Life is open for us. (Zech 13:7) Let us come freely into God's presence to partake from the Tree of Life - who is Jesus Christ Himself. (Rev 22:2) For Jesus has come to give us life, and that we may have life more abundantly. (John 10:10) :)
Thanks again for the question. I am blessed, and I hope our brethren are blessed too. Shalom, sister Karen. :)Music and dancing · 6 years ago
