Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 2.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verse.

“After coming into the house they (“magi from the east” a/k/a wise men) saw the Child with Mary His mother;  and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.  Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11.

——————-

Today’s Scripture makes us meditate on what gifts please God.

“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And trust in the LORD.”  Psalm 4:5.

“He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.  Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.”  Malachi 3:3-4.

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”  Romans 12:1.

“… present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”  Romans 6:13.

But, this righteousness does not come from the Law, but rather, this righteousness comes from the grace of God through faith.

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;  …”  Romans 3:21.

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.  For what does the Scripture say?  “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Romans 4:2-3.

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:21.

“… so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:8-9.

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.  …  And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”  Hebrews 11:4 and 6.

Today’s devotion comes from Matthew chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:  when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.  But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife;  for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  She will bear a Son;  and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”  And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son;  and he called His name Jesus.”  Matthew 1:18-24.

—————-

When difficult things, even supernatural things, happen to us beyond our ordinary understanding and ability to deal with them, such as Joseph being confronted with Mary’s pregnancy, God gives us grace to deal with them as God did for Joseph to assure and comfort him and to guide him.

God may not send us an angel, often the means of grace is very small and common and almost imperceptible such as a word of encouragement from a fellow saint, but God will give us what we need as He sees best to deal with such difficult, even supernatural things.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi chapter 4.

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace;  and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”  “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings;  and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.  You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.

“Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.  He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”  Malachi chapter 4.

—————–

In this last chapter of the Old Testament, the grand theme is the LORD’s preparations.  We see this in all three paragraphs of the chapter.

The LORD prepared “the day that is coming (that) will set them (all the arrogant and every evildoer) ablaze  …  on the day which I am preparing,”.

The LORD prepared the Law to provide the legal basis of justice for punishing the wicked and also to provide the tutor to lead His elect to Christ.  “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.”  Galatians 3:24-25.

The LORD prepared for the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ, by sending John the Baptist who is described as Elijah the prophet.  See also Matthew 11:7-15.

Other doctrine sees only what man does and what man should do.

But, Reformed Doctrine sees what the LORD has done and what the LORD will do.  In one word, Reformed Doctrine teaches God’s “providence”.

“Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God, and willing, being a faithful Father.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“Do not let your heart be troubled;  believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places;  if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  John 14:1-3.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi 3:7-18.

“7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them.  Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.  “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

8 “Will a man rob God?  Yet you are robbing Me!  But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’  In tithes and offerings.  9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!  10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.  11 Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground;  nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts.  12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the LORD of hosts.

13 “Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the LORD.  “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’  14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God;  and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before the LORD of hosts?  15 So now we call the arrogant blessed;  not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape.’”

16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name.  17 “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts, “on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.”  18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”  Malachi 3:7-18.

——————-

The common theme in these verses is the blessedness of those who serve the LORD.  The LORD causes them to stand out as being blessed by Him in sharp contrast to the wicked.  “So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.”  Verse 18.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their giving of the whole tithes and offerings.  The LORD opens the windows of heaven and pours out a blessing for them until it overflows, and the fruit of their labors are preserved.  Verses 10-11.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their keeping His charge and being humble.  The LORD gives them profit.  Verse 14.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their fear of the LORD and their esteem of His name.  The LORD remembers them.  Verse 16.  “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.”  Psalm 34:15.  “He has given food to those who fear Him;  He will remember His covenant forever.”  Psalm 111:5.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed through their serving as a son does for his father.  The LORD spares them from spiritual death.  Verse 17.

Those who serve the LORD are blessed by the LORD setting them safe and apart from the wicked who will be punished.  Verse 18.  “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace;  and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff;  and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.”  “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings;  and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.  You will tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the LORD of hosts.”  Malachi 4:1-3.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi 3:1-6.

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me.  And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple;  and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the LORD of hosts.  “But who can endure the day of His coming?  And who can stand when He appears?  For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.  He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.  Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment;  and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of hosts.  “For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Malachi 3:1-6.

———————-

The LORD only refines “the sons of Levi”, a representative group symbol for the LORD’s elect, with whom the LORD has His covenant.

The LORD of hosts does not refine everyone, even though everyone needs it.

Among those who need refining but did not receive refining, but only a swift witness against them, are “the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear” the LORD of hosts.  Verse 5.

Those who also need refining and did receive it are the elect.  Although the elect may be unfaithful, (“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them.  …” Malachi 3:7), the LORD is faithful.  “For I, the LORD, do not change;  therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Verse 6.  “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.”  2 Timothy 2:13.

The god of other doctrine changes his mind on whom he will save all the time based on what man does.

But, the God of Scripture presented by Reformed Doctrine does not change His mind on whom He will save based on what man does.  “… therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  Rather, this God of Scripture refines His elect and does everything else that His elect need for salvation.

Reformed Doctrine brings great comfort and summarizes today’s Scripture in “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem;  for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.  As for the man who does this, may the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the LORD of hosts.

“This is another thing you do:  you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.  Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’  Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.  But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit.  And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring?  Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth.  For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts.  “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”  Malachi 2:11-16.

—————

Today’s Scripture teaches that one should not marry one outside of the faith:  “Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD which He loves and has married the daughter of a foreign god.”  Verse 11.

And, today’s Scripture teaches that one should not divorce:  “For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel”.  Verse 16.

Regarding the first teaching, we are reminded of Ezra 9:1-2:  “Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites.  For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands;  indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.”

And, we are also reminded of 2 Corinthians 6:14-18:

“14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers;  for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God;  just as God said,

“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.”

Regarding the second teaching, we are reminded of Mark 10:9:  “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” and Matthew 19:9:  “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”

Finally, consider that these two teachings are related.  It would seem that divorce between spouses of different faiths would be more likely for two reasons.  First, they are pointed in different directions with different interests.  Second, they do not have a common faith to bind them together.  Regarding this second point, even without the different interests and different directions, it is tough enough with the normal pressures of life for even spouses of a common faith to stay together.  A common faith helps spouses to stay together, which common faith binding is not present between those of different faiths.

Today’s devotion comes from Malachi chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.

“I have loved you,” says the LORD.  But you say, “How have You loved us?”  “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD.  “Yet I have loved Jacob;  but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”  Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”;  thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down;  and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.”  Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”

…

“For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure;  for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts.”  Malachi 1:1-5 and 11.

———————-

The LORD declares His sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” as summarized in Romans 9:13:  “Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

But, instead of a call only to Israel, the LORD’s chosen people, to embrace the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election”, we read:  “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!”  Verse 5.

And, instead of proper worship by Israel, we read:  “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master.  Then if I am a father, where is My honor?  And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name.  But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’  You are presenting defiled food upon My altar.  But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’  In that you say, ‘The table of the LORD is to be despised.’  But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?  And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil?  Why not offer it to your governor?  Would he be pleased with you?  Or would he receive you kindly?” says the LORD of hosts.”  Verses 6-8.

And, also instead of proper worship by Israel, we read:  “For from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure;  for My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts.” Verse 11.

So, instead of preaching and teaching the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” quietly in a corner to only the perceived chosen, we should preach and teach the LORD’s sovereignty and “Unconditional Election” loudly and “promiscuously” to all people, everywhere.

Article 5.  Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of his good pleasure sends the gospel.  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“25 As He says also in Hosea,

“I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, ‘MY PEOPLE,’
AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, ‘BELOVED.’”
26 “AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,’
THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.”

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED;  28 FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY.”  29 And just as Isaiah foretold,

“UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY,
WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH.”  Romans 9:25-29.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 14.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+14&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “HOLY TO THE LORD.”  And the cooking pots in the LORD’s house will be like the bowls before the altar.  Every cooking pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to the LORD of hosts;  and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them.  And there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts in that day.”  Zechariah 14:20-21.

——————

“And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within;  and day and night they do not cease to say,

“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”  Revelation 4:8.

“In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.  2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings:  with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  3 And one called out to another and said,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.  5 Then I said,

“Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”  Isaiah 6:1-5.

“4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.”  Psalm 5:4-6.

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”  Galatians 5:19-21.

“But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  Revelation 21:8.

But, there is hope!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.  He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips;  and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”  Isaiah 6:6-7.

“But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.”  Psalm 5:7.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”  1 Peter 2:9.

Today’s devotion comes from Zechariah chapter 12.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zechariah+12&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced;  and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.”  Zechariah 12:10.

—————————

“But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.  And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true;  and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.  For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.”  And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.”  John 19:34-37.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.”  Isaiah 53:5.

“This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ;  not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.  It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.  For there are three that testify:  the Spirit and the water and the blood;  and the three are in agreement.  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater;  for the testimony of God is this, that He has testified concerning His Son.  The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself;  the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.  And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  1 John 5:6-12.

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him;  and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.  So it is to be.  Amen.”  Revelation 1:7.