The Plan
of the Ages
God’s
Dispensational Dealings with Humanity
John the
Messenger
Lesson
XXX1
I
In The Old Testament Malachi
promises the coming of a messenger
Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my
messenger…”
This
promise was given to backslidden and apostate people therefore it is all of
II
In The New Testament the
messenger is identified as John
Matthew 11:9-10 Believers refer to him
as John the Baptist
Mark 1:1-4 links the New Testament
with the Old
Luke 1:76-79 the work of John foretold
at his birth
III
What does the New
Testament teach Believers about this man John?
John 1:6 he was a man sent from
God, as were all true Prophets
John 1:7-8 he came as a witness of
the True Light
John 1: 20-25 he considered himself
but a voice
Matthew 3:1-5 the voice crying Prepare ye the way of the Lord
Isaiah 40:3 the voice
John
cf Luke 1:13-16
many turned to the Lord as a result
Mark
John
IV
To Believers, the end of
John’s life was very sad
1.
Herod imprisoned John
Matthew 11:2-4 John needed to be told again
Matthew 14:3 Herodias was behind that
deed
Mark 6:17-18 Herodias did not like
what John had said
2.
Herod beheaded John
Luke 9:7-9 Herod was a Sadducee
Luke 23:8-9 Jesus would not speak
to Herod
V
John’s life was a
successful life, he prepared the way for Jesus
John
had served his purpose and God allowed Herod to murder him.
Some
teach “serve God and you will be protected from harm,” but this is not true.
John
Matthew 11:2 at the end of his life, John only
had two disciples left
Luke
Luke