Joh 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
GOD’S DIVINE WILL SERIES C 12
TOPICS
GOD’S DIVINE WILL REGARDING:
DELIVERANCE & SALVATION | FAITH & BELIEF
SPIRITUAL REBIRTH & REGENERATION
SANCTIFICATION & HOLINESS
RESTORATION & RESTITUTION
PART VIII. COVENANTS OF ATONEMENT, REDEMPTION & GRACE
J5 : THE PROPHETS OF ISRAEL & THE PROPHET – JOHN THE BAPTIST
Eze_2:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
The Prophet and Prophetess of Israel
This is a continuation of the last discussion on The Prophets. Historically, Prophets were sent to bring Good news or in times of Rebellion – Warnings to the children of Israel. The warning included the impending Wrath of GOD if they did not Repent, to turn away from the sin of Rebellion. The names of some of the Prophets of the Old Testament are: Moses; Noah; Samuel; Joel; Amos; Micah; Haggai; Malachi; Zechariah; Ezekiel; Elijah; Jeremiah; Isaiah; Daniel and others listed in the Bible as Major and Minor Prophets.
See the >> List of the Prophets << of the Old Testament. John the Baptist was the Prolific Prophet of the New Testament although others were mentioned up to and around the Ministry of Paul the Apostle. Women were not excluded from the Prophetic Office and were Honored with the Title Prophetess. The term Prophetess, a Female Prophet, is mentioned in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. The following women were given the status of Prophetess in the Bible:
Miriam
Exo 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances
Deborah
Jdg 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time..
Huldah
2Ki 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Ana
Luk_2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Ana was the Prophetess spoken of who served in the Temple and gave Witness to “Simeon’s” Declaration when JESUS CHRIST, as a baby, was taken to the Temple according to the Law of Moses by HIS Earthly Parents for the Ceremonial Circumcision on the 8th Day of HIS Life.
Luk 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Luk 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Simeon was the man who came into the Temple when JESUS was presented for the Circumcision and he Testified that HE was the CHRIST. The HOLY GHOST had told Simeon he would not die before seeing the CHRIST – the Consolation of Israel.
Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luk 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
Luk 2:23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
Luk 2:24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Luk 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luk 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Luk 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Luk 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
Luk 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
There was also a mention of the daughters of Phillip, the Evangelist, which did Prophesy.
Act 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
Prophets and Judges
In many cases Prophets of Israel were Leaders such as Moses and Joshua and later some Prophets were named Judges such as Samuel and Samson. The Judges were “Prophets” of GOD who Ruled/Judged Israel in HIS Name or acted in Vengeance on the part of GOD such as Samson until during the time of Samuel the Judge. At that time the people demanded a King to rule over them such as the people in the neighboring countries. Most of Israel’s problems stemmed from their desire to Emulate the people living in the countries around them.
Prophets could only tell the people what GOD directed them to say and when directed could perform a “Sign, Utterance or a Work” according to that particular Message. In some cases GOD sent his Prophets to nations other than Israel, and in one case in particular to an enemy of Israel, as in the case of Jonah and Nineveh mentioned in the previous discussion above under the section “Conviction” and in the following Scriptures.
The Prophet Jonah
Jonah hated the Nation of Nineveh and he did not want to take the Warning Message to Nineveh because he knew GOD was a Merciful GOD and he did not want to give them a chance to Repent and GOD possibly Forgiving them and Sparing the Generational Enemy of Israel. He wanted them to be Destroyed because they were the Enemies of Israel and he felt Justified in desiring their Destruction. He tried to Circumvent GOD’S Plan by running away in the Opposite direction of the city. But GOD brought him back (The story of Jonah in the Whale) and sent him to the city. The city Repented and GOD spared them. This made Jonah even angrier. But GOD spoke to him with a Demonstration utilizing a gourd and a Lesson in Humility, Mercy and Forgiveness.
Jon 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than *sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? *(more than 120,000)
The above verse Depicts the Condition of the individual(s) with a Carnal Mind. They can not discern, Figuratively speaking, between their right hand or their left hand or in other words, they do not know Right from Wrong, Profane or Sacred or Righteousness from Iniquity (Sin)
The Prophet Jeremiah
Many of the Prophets were Unique even from their Birth. The mother and sometimes the Father were told that the Mother had to have a special diet with no strong drink etc. because that child – to – be – Prophet was Consecrated as a Nazarite. GOD told Jeremiah that HE knew him before he was formed in his mother’s womb and HE had Consecrated him to be a Prophet before he was born.
Jer 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
The Message of Repentance
The message of Repentance, Mercy and Forgiveness is made clear all throughout the Bible through the Prophets of GOD in every Dispensation of Truth. It is GOD’S Will to Love; Provide; Care; and Nurture HIS Creation and HIS Children. But when the sin of the Unbelievers are at the brim and their “Cup of Iniquity” is about to overflow, GOD sends them a Prophet to Admonish; Caution; Advise; Reprove, to Teach and Warn them to turn back to GOD (Repentance) and to Righteousness (Obedience).
John the Baptist – A Harbinger, Prophet & Priest
Mat_17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
Mat_17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Mat_17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
The above statement is Demonstrative of the Purpose, Ministry and Mission of John the Baptist as the “Harbinger” and the “Forerunner” of JESUS CHRIST. A Harbinger is one who precedes and gives notice of the expected arrival of someone else. In this case it was the arrival of the CHRIST. John was also the Prophet of the CHRIST and the Priest unto CHRIST, serving HIM in the Performance of his Office during HIS Baptism with the Emblematic Laying on the Sin of HIS People and declaring JESUS CHRIST as the Emblematic Passover Lamb of GOD. John knew JESUS CHRIST, by the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT as the Perfect Lamb – clean and without blemish or spot as he exclaimed to JESUS CHRIST before he Baptized HIM, I need to be Baptized by you and you come to me?”
Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
During the Mosaic Dispensation the Passover Lamb Represented Freedom from the Bondage of Slavery under Pharaoh and the Egyptians. During the Spiritual Gospel Dispensation JESUS CHRIST Represents Freedom from the Bondage of Slavery to Sin, Death and the devil – Satan and his Evil Works. The following Scriptures shows how important the Birth of CHRIST was as well as HIS Death, Resurrection and Ascension. One could not be without the other to “Finish the Work” HIS FATHER gave HIM to do.There will be more information on this Topic in the upcoming “Manifold Works of CHRIST”.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Rom_8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Col_1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Heb_2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Joh_17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
The above Scriptures dictate that everything JESUS CHRIST did was a part of the >> Grand Design of GOD. << CHRIST, in Essence, was stating to John that they must be Obedient and Perform all things in accordance to GOD’S Divine Will. See >> The Perfect Obedience of JESUS CHRIST <<
>> Covenant Blessings & Covenant Curses <<
GOD sometimes used more than one Prophet at a given Time to Accomplish HIS Divine Purpose such a to give Praise or Admonishment/Warnings, Blessings, or Signs to display HIS Glory or HIS Displeasure. One such Example was the situation which resulted in the making of the Remnant of Israel involving the Prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel who were Contemporaries.
Israel was Rebellious and after many warnings from GOD, HE finally evoked the Curses of the Covenant which was broken by Israel. During this Episode, GOD sent Messages to the Jews who were still living in Jerusalem and to those Jews who had been carried away to Captivity in Babylon. Ezekiel Prophesied to the Jews in Jerusalem. Jeremiah Prophesied to the Jews in Babylon. Before the actual Dispersal, GOD sent Ezekiel as a Sign to Israel to demonstrate their Fate.
At one and the same time, Jeremiah was prophesying in Jerusalem, and Ezekiel in Chaldaea; the Prophecies of the former were sent to the Exiles in Captivity, and those of Ezekiel to the dwellers at Jerusalem, that the guiding hand of One GOD in different places might be made clear (Jerome).
This gives us some Insight as to why GOD sent John the Baptist as a Prophet/Priest to Israel at the “same time” as CHRIST, who shared the Title/Office of Prophet and Priest as John was from the Ordained Levetical Priesthood and JESUS CHRIST from the Priesthood – Order of Melchizedek/Melchisedec.
Psa_110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek
Heb_5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb_5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb_6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
John and JESUS CHRIST had a Similar Message to give to the people but John’s Message like the Mosaic Law (Law of Moses) were only Figures or Foreshadows of the Ministry of CHRIST. They pointed to JESUS CHRIST. John was a Witness for JESUS CHRIST and Proclaimed the coming of the Consolation of Israel – the HOLY SPIRIT/HOLY GHOST. It was Prophesied by the Angel Gabriel to Zacharias, an Elderly Priest of the Temple and husband to Elizabeth, the mother of John, that his Son would be a Prophet to the Messiah and would Precede the Messiah (JESUS THE CHRIST). He was told that John the Baptist was to >> Prepare A People For GOD. << {Follow this link to view the Series depicting how GOD has been Preparing a People for HIMSELF (even before the World began) utilizing >> HIS Divine Plan << & >> HIS Grand Design << which has been in Operation since the Sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and up to the time of CHRIST who has Prepared >> The WAY << to Reconcile Mankind to GOD, the FATHER. GOD is Restoring Mankind to his First Estate to again follow HIS Divine Plan which is Purposed in CHRIST JESUS.}
Joh_14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Eph_1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph_3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
John’s Ministry, Message and Baptism was to give Witness of CHRIST, and to Prepare the people for HIS Appearance, Ministry and Message. Only CHRIST truly spoke of the FATHER and Preached the Gospel of GOD/Kingdom of Heaven. John the Baptist Conveyed that “the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand” which was CHRIST JESUS. John’s Mission was to prepare the people so that the People would Believe in HIM and HIS Message when HE was Revealed to Israel.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Mal_3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mat_3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Mat_11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mar_1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Mar_1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luk_3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luk_7:27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
John’s Baptism was only to Repentance while the Baptism in the name of JESUS CHRIST was for the Preparatory Admission and Translation into the Kingdom of GOD/Heaven, Salvation and Eternal Life. John Baptized by Water unto Repentance, but JESUS CHRIST Baptized with the >> HOLY SPIRIT/GHOST.<< unto Regeneration. John’s Baptism was Purification by water but CHRIST’S Baptism is Purification by Fire unto Holiness through the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT.
John’s Joy was Fulfilled in that the Ministry of CHRIST was growing, increasing while his was decreasing. This was a Sign that he had Fulfilled his Mission and had done it effectively and efficiently. He knew his work was done.
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Although John did not Perform any Miracles seen by the Physical World, his Ministry was full of Holy Unction because he received the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT while yet in the Womb of his Mother Elizabeth, the Wife of Zacharias. This made his Ministry Powerful and touched the Hearts and Souls of the people turning their hearts towards GOD as Prophesied by the Angel Gabriel to Zacharias.
Luk 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luk 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
Luk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
Luk 1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
Luk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Prophecies and Declarations
John’s Declaration was one of many Signs Prompting the Appearance and Ministry of JESUS CHRIST. The First of many included the Prophecies through the Prophets (Moses and the Prophets thereafter including the Psalms; the Prophecy and Timeline of the Prophet Daniel; HIS Birth Announcements by the Angel Gabriel to Zacharias (regarding his son and the Messiah); Simon of the Temple and Mary; HIS Incarnation as acknowledged by the Fetus, John, so named by the Angel Gabriel before his Birth, when he heard the voice of Mary while in the womb of his Mother, Elizabeth he lept for Joy. The Birth of CHRIST was Declared by the Angels; by the Worship of the Shepherds and the Worship of the Wise Men of the East (the Magi or Kings of the Orient). These Prophecies and Events were Emblematic showing CHRIST to be the Messiah for the rich and the poor and for the Jews and for the Gentiles.
Mat 2:1 Now, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.
John the Baptist – The Prophet & Priest
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
John was sent into the World to accomplish a Specific Purpose – the Preparation of the Kingdom of the CHRIST. He was to be the Herald and Witness for the CHRIST and HIS Mission/Ministry and he was to Prepare a People for the LORD. GOD did not tell John who the CHRIST would be but told him to “Watch for a Specific Sign”. John the Baptist was given Spiritual Sight at the Baptism of JESUS CHRIST and this is how John the Baptist knew CHRIST was the Lamb of GOD and that HE was the Beloved Begotten SON of GOD. There was also a Spiritual Audible Declaration from GOD. The sign was the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD Descending from Heaven and Remaining on CHRIST at HIS Baptism by John. In addition to the SPIRIT, as mentioned earlier, GOD, the FATHER, Declared in Love, that JESUS CHRIST was HIS Beloved SON and that HE was Well Pleased with HIM. This John Declared to his disciples by stating that JESUS CHRIST was the “Sacrificial” Lamb of GOD who was to “take away the Sin of the World”. (Quotes are mine.)
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe_1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
** The above Scripture 2Peter, was the second manifestation of the voice from Heaven acknowledging JESUS CHRIST as the Beloved SON of GOD. On another occurrence there was a voice manifestation declaring that JESUS was GOD’S Beloved SON and demanded that the Apostles listen to what JESUS tells them. This was on the Mountain where the Transfiguration of CHRIST took place and which Peter, James and John witnessed.
Mat_17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
There was another voice manifestation which occurred but the message was different and, although the sound uttered was heard by all, it was only understood or Discerned by some of the individuals in the crowd. **
Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Joh 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
Joh 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
John’s Ministry.
John’s Ministry included Preaching the Doctrine of Repentance and to Reveal JESUS the CHRIST as the Messiah. John fulfilled the Prophecy given to Zacharias, the husband of Elizabeth, the mother of John who was also the cousin to Mary the mother of JESUS. John began to Witness to his Followers and Israel at large that the Messiah had come and that HE was JESUS the CHRIST, the Lamb of GOD.
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Joh 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
Joh 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Many people went to the Baptism of John and this brought the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes of the Temple to his Baptism. But they were not there for Repentance. They came to his Baptism because they were sent by the Jewish leaders to inquire about his Identity and his activities. John knew and acknowledged this.
Mat 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
Mat 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Jewish Leaders had sent people to John to see if he was the Messiah or another Prophet because it was a Traditional Belief that the Messiah would appear in the Temple at Passover and because of the Prophetic Time Line of Daniel, the Prophet, was due for Fulfillment. See the links below. However, they did not believe that John was the Messiah because he did not “fit” their Carnal “description” of the Messiah. This was the same reason they rejected JESUS CHRIST as the Messiah. They expected the Messiah to be another David or Solomon.
Although the Jewish leaders did not acknowledge John the Baptist he served GOD, CHRIST and the people very well. He deserved his dual Title of the Last Prophet of the Old Testament and the First Prophet of the New Testament. In addition JESUS CHRIST proclaimed there was none greater than he.
Mat_11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Luk_7:28 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.
Although the Ministry of John the Baptist seemed short-lived, he did what no other person on Earth could do. He Baptized the Messiah. It was what he was Born to do. The Baptism Symbolized the Ceremonial Cleansing; Purification; a Laying on of Hands, and the Emblematic Jettison of the Sin of the World which CHRIST came into the World to take away.
In the Old Covenant Mercy cast Sin aside, but in the New Covenant – CHRIST/Love Destroys Sin and all of the Works of the devil.
1Jn_3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
See also >> Daniel & the Babylonian Captivity << and the >> Prophecy of the Messiah Fulfilled. <<
The Remnant of Israel were those who Believed in Faith and Hope as they waited for the Consolation, the Messiah, JESUS CHRIST, and the Comforter >> THE HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT. See the Series). << Many of these were the individuals who went to John’s Baptism. Others were the Lost Sheep of Israel whose Souls became Awakened at John’s message and were ready to take the next step of Faith which was Believing in CHRIST JESUS, the only “Work” we have to do to be saved.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
DIVINE COSMIC WILL OF YHVH GOD 