Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
This passage of scripture describes the work that Christ was to embark upon when He left the heavenly courts, to come to this earth to save us. He is presented in the passage as The Savior of the world, bringing forgiveness and salvation full and free, to all who accept God's gracious overtures to save us from our sins. As a matter of fact, the very phrase "God with us", gives us a warm, paternal feeling of our heavenly Father, who has always sought the best good of every member of the human family.
The gospel in Christ's day focused on the revelation that He was indeed the Messiah, and many of the miracles, sermons, and conversations He had with the people, tended to establish this one important fact, that He was the one sent from God to rescue the human race. His great sacrifice was often referred to as He interacted with the people of His day, for it was the purpose of God that the human family should see in Christ's death on Calvary, the opening of the flood gates of salvation, by which all who believe on Him might have eternal life. That's why Jesus often spoke about His death, and pointed the minds of the people to this one central truth, so important to every person. Let's read:
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
This aspect and highlight of the gospel is where the focus of attention was placed during Christ's sojourn, and more so, after His resurrection, and indeed it finally got the attention of the entire world, to the point where even the devils believe and tremble. But now that this great truth has been established beyond the shadow of a doubt, God now turns our attention to the nuts and bolts of practical godliness, where the eternal principles of righteousness are to be interfaced with our daily experience, through the renewing power of The Holy Ghost working in and through us. Hence the reason why the book of Revelation emphasizes in our day, the keeping of God's commandments, because Christianity and the great sacrifice it points to, have already been well established in the earth.
In our day there is generally only a nominal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, whereas Jesus as Lord of our lives gets but little attention. When we accept Christ in His capacity as Lord and King of our lives, we will submit ourselves under His wise leadership, to be molded, guided, and instructed by Him, living by His every word, whilst trusting in Christ's righteousness. This is to be the focal message of Christianity in our day and it is embodied in the following passages written by the apostle John. Let's read:
Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ" ...... 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates the importance of obedience to the commandments of God, through the process of sanctification, for this is where we are lacking in our day, and this is the work that Christ desires to do in us. Let's read:
Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
May God add His blessing to the study and doing of His every word. God bless!