Came AND Coming: with Purpose

A favorite picture of mine has a scene where a white lamb’s in the background and the face of a transparent lion is largely spread over a scene of earth showing God’s great and rich creation in all of its splendor and beauty! So, there are three reminders of God there, but today, I’ll focus on two of them:
1) Christ as the Lamb of God- He sacrificially came to rescue us from a life where we were set apart from Him because of our sins. He died for our sins in our place. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).  John the Baptist said of Jesus, “…Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
2) Christ as the Lion of Judah- “…See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelations 5:5). I’m reminded of His power and strength and that He’s coming back.
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This image is powerful. Jesus both came and is coming again with purpose!
If I had the equipment/means to present a short piece on visual media, I’d do this:
Soft music plays as a video camera captures the blue skies, then pans down on a white lamb climbing a large green hill (an attempt to symbolically depict that Jesus came), and once it crests the top of a hill, there in front of him is a large rugged wooden cross towering. The music builds and then, it abruptly stops as the scene cuts to one dressed as a Roman soldier as if hammering a nail in the hand of someone (depicting Jesus) lying on a cross. The clanging of the hammer hitting the nail is piercing each time hammer hits nail. The music begins again and grows darker along with the scene. The cross is lifted up. Camera’s high and behind the cross viewing the Biblically-dressed people with different emotions gazing up toward the cross. The skies are dark and there are “trembling” special effects depicting an earthquake. The image of a veil is torn (seen and heard). Then, dark skies and howling wind are on-going as the cross is lowered, but one sees only the top of the cross going down as the camera stays on the dark skies. The scene cuts to a tomb where light spreads across the entry rock and darkens 3 times to depict the passing of 3 days. Suddenly, an earthquake is portrayed, then, the rock is rolled away with a bright flash of bright light (depicting an angel’s presence). Music is intense and celebratory while building…and then, abruptly stopping. Camera pans up to blue skies, then, down on modern-day people walking in the streets amidst loud city noises then, the street noises start to fade. The people walking phase into slow-motion and the ticking sound of a clock gets louder and louder, then, stops. Then suddenly, a burst of a loud, roaring lion pierces the silence (an attempt to symbolically depict that Jesus is about to return but people in scene don’t hear it). Pause 3 seconds. Lights brighten on scene to depict that the clouds part. All look up into sky as look of awe spreads onto each face. Freeze-frame camera on their faces. Overall, there is the sound of the Scripture being read as the words are scrolled over the screen.

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Revelations 19:11-16

Hold camera on their faces, then, fade scene away.

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The Book of Revelations is Truth and is packed with symbolism. (I suggested the visual of a literal lamb and the sound of a roaring lion in the scene to accentuate His Presence in that Jesus came to sacrificially redeem us, and He’s coming back to rule and reign with power!)
For the full account of Jesus’ birth, life, crucifixion, resurrection, and future return, see the books: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Revelation. God’s Word trumps all words.
I’m a simple, ordinary person, and I shared with you. What can you do with the opportunities God gives you to impact others for Him? The clock’s ticking… Don’t let time get away from you.

Dear Lord,
You’re worthy of all praise! Let us worship You! Let us not waste time, and let us keep telling others about You. You came to redeem, and You are coming again to rule and reign! We await Your return! Let hearts be ready!!! In Jesus’ precious Name I pray,
Amen.

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