INTRODUCTION
I. In Luke’s account of the gospel, he referred to an occasion when Jesus was in the syna- gogue, and He quoted from the Old Testament, a reference to HIS coming and mission.
A. When He finished the quotation, Luke THEN adds the statement, “And he closed the book”. Read Luke 4:16-21
B. We are here reminded of many other books that Jesus has closed, or will close in the future.
II. Let’s not a few of them.
DISCUSSION
I. 1st, Jesus closed the book of HIS PERSONAL MINISTRY.
A. His coming TO the ear th had been foretold in the Old Testament.
1. God alluded to this in Gen. 3:15
2. God foretold His coming to a virgin woman. Isa. 7:14
3. God also foretold His mission as declared in our earlier text of Luke 4.
4. God also foretold His suffering and death on the cross. Isa. 53:7-8
B. Jesus’ coming to earth OPENED the book of His ministry on earth.
1. He was born of a virgin in the city of Bethlehem,. (Luke 1:26-35)
2. He went to the temple at the age of 12 to do His Father’s business. (Luke 3: 41- 42, 49
3. He was reared in Nazareth of Galilee as a carpenter with His earthly father, Joseph. (Luke 3:23; Matt. 13: 55)
4. He then went to John the baptizer to be immersed in water, which brought a declaration from God that He was God’s Son. Matt. 3:13-17
5. He selected His apostles to assist Him in His ministry, as they strengthened Him, and were prepared to declare the gospel message, and to print the inspired word of the New Testament.
6. He went to the cross, as He was rejected of men, to shed His blood for man’s redemption. John 3:16; 1:11-12; 19:30; 19:31-37
II. 2Nd, Jesus close the book of His REVELATION FOR SALVATION.
A; He authorized the permanent, un-ending, un-changable PLAN whereby anyone could be saved BY the gospel. Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-29
B. He then closed the book, with His warning upon anyone, anytime or anywhere, who MIGHT alter or change His “plan” in ANY WAY. Matt. 15:9; Gal. 1;8-9; 2 John 9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17
III. 3Rd, Jesus closed the book of REVELATION OF SCRIPTURE.
A. The writing of scripture ended with the apostles’ record. 2 Tim. 3:16-17
B. The final book of the New Testament is the book CALLED “Revelation”, which Jesus sent through the apostle John, with a warning not to add TO it or take FROM it. Rev. 1:1; 22:18-19
1. Nothing is so sacred as the inspired writings of the Bible.
2. The book of Mormon and other creeds of men are inspired of men—not God.
CONCLUSION
I. Finally, Jesus will close some OTHER BOOKS AT HIS COMING.
A. His coming will close the book of “time” itself itself. 1 Cor. 15:23
B. His coming will also close the book of Hades, for it will give up the spirits of all who had ever died. Rev. 20:12-14
II. AT THIS TIME Jesus will open some more books before they will close.
A. He will open His book of judgment, which will be the ultimate standard by which ALL will be judged, based upon the LAW that was in force in the age in which each one lived. 2 Cor. 5:10
1. To argue that some were not baptized because their parents were not baptized, or “my preacher said baptism was not necessary’, will not cause the Lord to change His mind, for His book on
salvation has already been closed.
2. To tell the Lord, “But Lord, Billy Graham and his son Franklin, said baptism was not necessary to salvation, and they said all I had to do was SAY “the Sinner’s Prayer”, which I did; will not cause the Lord to change His mind at the very end, for His book on salvation has already been closed, and cannot be opened.
B. The ultimate destiny of everyone will be based upon their names having already been recorded IN the Lamb’s book of life. Exo. 32:33; Rev. 3:4-5
III. At everyone’s death, everyone’s earthly life book will be closed, only to be opened again when Jesus returns.
A. Are you ready for that book to be opened?
B. Only by obedience to the word of Christ, and obedience TO that word, will bring eternal life to each individual.
DON TARBET
