Israel and the Word

Most of the world was unaware of God's tremendous plan, yet God had always left His plan and His Word in the world for those who were searching. God revealed his holy Word to the Hebrews and placed Israel in the center of the world and all the mighty nations of the ancient world had to travel on roads and pass through Israel to reach the other nations of the ancient world. The great purpose of history and the Word of God was the coming of the King. God revealed through the ancient prophets of Israel that He Himself was coming to the world. But he would not come as a King to set up His kingdom until he first came as a servant who would die for the sins of Israel and for all of mankind. This is because man needed a savior before they could have a King, this Savior and King was referred to as the Messiah in the Scriptures. The Hebrew prophet Isaiah predicted in the seventh century BC that when the Messiah would appear there would be a forerunner who would precede him.

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." Isaiah 40:3-5

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." Malachi 3:1

John's Birth, Israel and the Word, The Forerunner, Zacharias and Elizabeth, The Angel Gabriel, John is Born

The Birth of John the Baptist

John the Baptist had a miraculous birth, and everything about his birth was predicted before he was born. God spoke about John hundreds of years before he came. He was to be the forerunner of the LORD, the Messiah and savior of the world. His parents were descendants of Aaron the first priest of Israel. They were trusting in the promises of God, yet Elizabeth was barren but God opened up her womb. When the time came for her to give birth, the angel Gabriel made an announcement to both Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to Zacharias and Elizabeth. When John was born his father uttered an amazing prophecy about God's faithfulness and his promises to Israel and to all people.

"But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God." - Luke 1:13-16

The New Testament - A Brief Overview

Brief History of the Birth of John the Baptist
Scriptures: Luke 1:5-25

Introduction

The New Testament covers the period from the birth of John the Baptist, to the life and death of Jesus, to the beginnings of the Church,  to the spreading of the gospel throughout the world, to the death of the great apostle Paul.

The Four Gospel Accounts - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

There are four accounts of the life of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and they are referred to as the "Gospel". Each portrays a particular focus about Jesus and His ministry.

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