The Faithful and Sobering Words of God's Greatest Prophet .. John the Baptist

John the Baptist was the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus said of him,

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 7:28

But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’[Mal. 3:1]

The water baptism that John was administering was a final step in a personal.. purification..process that the Jews who believed in the Kingdom were performing as they repented of their sins in.. preparation..for the arrival of their.. righteous King..who would take them with him into his Kingdom on Earth. As you have it in Matt 3:1-2; 5-6,

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’” “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.”

After Jesus was baptized, he and his disciples also began to preach the same baptism of repentance in preparation for the Kingdom. As you have it in 4:1-2,

Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples)..

Having now two groups of baptizers, set up an opportunity for conflict between the disciples of John and the disciples of Jesus. The Pharisees saw it and stepped in with their "divide and conquer" questions, “Whose baptism is the best? Which one makes someone more pure? And, by the way, more people are coming to Jesus for baptism than are coming to John! What do you have to say about that?”

John's disciples, brought these question to John and his answers were right on. He said:

Verse 27, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.”

Amen! What an important truth. He was testifying to the fact that Jesus’ great success came from above. Here are a couple of other scriptures along that line:

Jn 5:26-29a For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—

1 Cor 4:7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

John 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

Verse 28, “I am not the Christ”John had said this from the beginning.

Jn 1:20-21a He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.”

Verse 30, “He must increase but I must decrease.”John was the forerunner of the King. No less, no more. With Jesus on the scene, John's calling and ministry were complete.

Verse 31, “He that came from above is above all.”

Phil 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Verses 32-34. Without exception, Jesus spoke what he was given from his Father. Therefore, he invariably spoke the Word of God. Therefore, whoever receives Jesus words has added his own testimony that God is true.

Verse 35. "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand."

Matt 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Luke 3:22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Verse 36. (Keep in mind here that this is the continued testimony of John the Baptist.) John’s final words clearly set forth that, now, after the cross, the issue is no longer sin. The issue today is unbelief. The only question remaining is, "Will men believe or will they not believe in God’s Son who he sent?" If they will not, John says, the wrath of God will abide upon them. The Greek word for.. wrath..used here is a word that depicts a smoldering anger that will one day be expressed. As you have it in Psalm 7:11,

God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

When this wrath is expressed one day, it will not be pretty. It will come swift and hard, like blows in a boxing match. As you have it in 2 Thes 1:7b-10,

…and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

The prophet Isaiah, put it this way,

The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants,
Because they have transgressed the laws,
Changed the ordinance,
Broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore the curse has devoured the earth,
And those who dwell in it are desolate.
Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned,
And few men are left.Isa 24:5-6

Created 10 months ago