There's so much to know about Jesus....

In Scripture, God makes Himself known, telling us things which otherwise could never be known.  ....So what does Scripture tell us about ....Who Jesus IS ....and our relationship with Him NOW and for ETERNITY....

In the beginning the Word already existed
   The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
God created everything through him,
   and nothing was created except through him.
 
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him.  ....But to ALL WHO BELIEVED HIM AND ACCEPTED HIM, he gave the right to become children of God.  They are REBORN—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a (SPIRITUAL) BIRTH THAT COMES FROM GOD.
    — John 1:1,3,10,12-13 NLT

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Jesus offers us New Life with Him

Interesting how scripture uses Jewish wedding customs/traditions to illustrate our relationship with Jesus as Believers — the Bride of Christ (2 Cor 11:2).  Verses such as John 14:1-3; Matt 24:36; Matt 25:6, ....and Eph 5:25-27.

Do an online search for "Galilean weddings at the time of Jesus", ....and read about the ceremonial cup of wine given by the Groom to the Bride ....symbolizing their covenant commitment to each other, ....to their marriage ceremony at a future time.  

Notice, ....the Bride has the choice to either accept (confirming her commitment to their relationship) or reject this ceremonial cup of wine from the Groom, ....which is a picture of the Gospel message given to each person, ....who can either accept or reject an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.  

At the Last Supper....

Jesus took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which CONFIRMS THE COVENANT BETWEEN GOD AND HIS PEOPLE. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.  Mark my words — I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
    — Matthew 26:27-29 NLT

The Lord's Supper....

Today, receiving COMMUNION is a way for each Believer to confirm their commitment to an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ (1 Cor 10:16-17), to remember the atoning sacrifice that Jesus made for us, ....and looking forward to the time when we will partake with Him in Heaven ....at the "wedding feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:6-9).  Communion is also known as the Lord's Supper or the Lord's Table.

When we drink this ceremonial cup of wine, ....we are confirming, ....declaring we are ALL-IN with commitment to a loving, loyal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  .......We are committed (Rom 10:9 NIV) ....to living a NEW LIFE with Jesus NOW and for ETERNITY!

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Why the Cross?

....Christ did for us ....what we could not do for ourselves.

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son (Jesus) also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.  Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
    — Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT

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Why the Resurrection?

....Christ's resurrection changes everything

Jesus declared, "I AM the life!"....

Once you were (spiritually) dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.  You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.  He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
 
But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that.... He gave us (spiritual) life when He raised Christ from the dead.  (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)  For he raised us from the (spiritually) dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms (for Eternity) because we are united with Christ Jesus.
    — Ephesians 2:1-2,4-6 NLT

‍Why be Born Again ....to New Life?

....to live with God requires "spiritual birth" through Jesus Christ....

Jesus said, “....Unless a person is BORN FROM ABOVE (spiritual birth), it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to — to God’s kingdom....
  
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son (Jesus), His one and only Son.  And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed (through spiritual death); by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole (life here and now) and lasting life (in Eternity with God).
    — John 3:3,16-17 MSG

....and....

For you have been BORN AGAIN, but not to a life that will quickly end. YOUR NEW LIFE will last forever because IT COMES FROM THE ETERNAL, LIVING WORD OF GOD.
    — 1 Peter 1:23 NLT

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Water Baptism declares our New Life

....in Jesus Christ, ....the old life is gone, ....and our New Life has begun‍

Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.  But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him.
    — Matthew 3:13-15 NLT

Jesus set the example for all believers about the importance of water baptism.  Jesus' baptism "fulfilled all righteousness" (NIV).  All believers are to be baptized in water as an act of obedience recognizing God's work in their life ....through a crucified, buried, and risen Savior. (Rom 6:3-4)  In WATER BAPTISM, believers declare to the world ....their old sinful nature has died with Christ ....and they are raised with Him to NEW LIFE ....NOW and for ETERNITY. (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38, 8:35-38)

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Born Again to New Life with God NOW

A "Born Again".... Christ-centered life is lived in continual fellowship with God, seeking the INDWELLING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (John 14:26; Romans 8:26; Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:16,22-23) as our Source of life and blessing.  Scripture encourages us to follow Jesus passionately with unbounded enthusiasm, knowing Him in ever-increasing revelation.

You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you.
    — Colossians 3:10 TLB

The abundant life Jesus gives is not about material possessions or accomplishments; it is about knowing God, being in Him, bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and manifesting the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.  ....Ephesians 3:16-19; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Such is ours to freely receive from God, ....as we ACTIVELY ENGAGE with Him ....and live with a COMMITTED, DECIDED heart after Jesus....

....and because we are Born Again....

So then, since we have a great High Priest Who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
    — Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT

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Born Again to ETERNAL Life with God

The Rapture of the Church (Believers in Christ, Body of Christ) is the coming event in which God “snatches away” all believers from the earth and takes us to Heaven ….in order to make way for His righteous judgment to be poured on the earth, during a 7-year period known as the Tribulation (see Revelation chapters 6-18).  The Rapture is described primarily in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.

Dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet Him ahead of those who have died.  For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.
    — 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 NLT

....continuing....

First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be "caught up" (Greek word "harpazo", Strongs G726, from which we get the word "Rapture") in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then WE WILL BE WITH THE LORD FOREVER.  So encourage each other with these words.
    — 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NLT

We are transformed from physical to spiritual bodies....

Recall our conversation in Chapter 8.1....

Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die....  Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory....  ....What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
 
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!  It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.  For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.  For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
    — 1 Corinthians 15:42-44,50-54

....also Philippians 3:20-21 and 1 John 3:2

....and, as Jesus said....

"I am the resurrection and THE SOURCE of all (SPIRIT) LIFE; THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME will live even in (PHYSICAL) death.  Everyone who lives and believes in Me WILL NEVER TRULY DIE.  Do you believe this?"
    — John 11:25-26 The Voice

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Second Coming of Christ Jesus our Lord

Following the 7-years of Tribulation recorded in Revelation chapters 6-18....

Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war.  His eyes were like flames of fire, and on His head were many crowns.  A name was written on Him that no one understood except Himself.  He wore a robe dipped in blood, and His title was the Word of God.
 
The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed Him on white horses.  From His mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.  On His robe at His thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
    — Revelation 19:11-16 NLT

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"Reverence" and "Awe"  describe this moment!

“I am the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the One Who is, Who always was, and Who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
    — Revelation 1:8 NLT

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"Hallowed be Your Name!"  

    — Matthew 6:9-10 NKJV

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Maranatha!

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^{*Credits: Transfiguration, Jesus birth, Rapture, and Second Coming images anonymous, found on several blog sites / Rapture of Believers image from WallpaperCave com / communion cup from Dreamstime com}