56.1 Jesus Is The Light Of The World

(John 1:1-12)

Before the world was created, the Word already existed; he was with God, and he was the same as God.  From very beginning the Word was with God.  Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him.  The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness had never put it out.

God sent his messenger, a man named John, who came to tell people about the light, so that all should hear the message and believe. .He himself was not the light; he came to tell about the light.  This was the real light-- the light that comes into the world and shines on all mankind.

The Word was in the world, and through God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him.  He came into his own country, but his own people did not receive him.  Some, however, did not received him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God's children.

55.4 All Will Be Included In The New Jerusalem

(Psalm 87)

The Lord built his city on the sacred hill;
more than any other place in Israel
he loves the city of Jerusalem.
Listen, city of God, to the wonderful
things he says about you.:

"I will include Egypt and Babylonia
when I list the nations that obey me;
the people of Philistia, Tyre, and Sudan
I will number among the inhabitants of Jerusalem."

Of Zion it will be said that all nations belong there
and that the Almighty will make her strong.
The Lord will write a list of the peoples
and include them all as citizens of Jerusalem.
They dance and sing.
"In Zion is the source of all our blessings."

55.3 The Fulfillment of What Exists: Everything is Restored Under Christ's Leadership

(Ephesians 1:7-10)

For by the death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.  How great is the grace of God, which he gave to us in such large measure!

In all his wisdom and insight God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.

55.2 It Is Like A Wedding Feast

(Matthew 22:1-14)

Jesus again used parables in talking to the people,, "The Kingdom of heaven is like this.  Once there was a king who prepared a  wedding feast for his son. He sent his servants to tell the invited guests to come to the feast, but they did not want to come.  So he sent other servants with this message for the guests: "My feast is ready now; my steers and prize calves have been butchered, and everything is ready.  Come to the wedding feast! But the invited guests paid no attention and went about their business: one went to his farm, another to his store, while others grabbed the servants, beat them, and killed them.  The king was very angry; so he sent his soldiers, who killed those murderers and burned down their city.  Then he called his servants and said to them, "My wedding feast is ready, but the people I invited did not deserve it. Now go to the main streets and invite to the feast as many people as you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, good and bad alike; and the wedding hall was filled with people.

The king went it to look at the guests and saw a man who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes? the king asked him. But the man said nothing.  Then the king told the servants, 'Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him outside in the dark. There he will cry and gnash his teeth.'"

And Jesus concluded, "Many are invited, but few are chosen."

55.1 It Is A Hidden Treasure Or A Pearl For Which We Sell Everything

(Matthew 13:44-46)

"The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man happens to find a treasure hidden in a field.  He covers it up again, and is so happy that he goes and sells everything he has, and then goes back and buys that field."

"Also, the Kingdom of heaven is like this.  A man is looking for fine pearls, and when he finds one that is unusually fine, he goes and sells everything he has, and buys that pearl."