What is this cry that we hear? (Charles Spurgeon)

What is this? What is this cry that we hear? (Charles Spurgeon)

“Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” Genesis 4:8

“The blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews 12:24

“The sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].” Hebrews 12:24 (NLT)

There is a cry heard in Heaven; the angels are astonished; they rise up from their golden seats and inquire, “What is that cry?”

God looks upon them, and says, “It is the cry of blood; a man has been slain by his fellow; a brother is slain by him who came from the womb of the same mother, has been murdered in cold blood, through malice. One of My saints has been murdered, and here he comes.”

And Abel entered into Heaven, blood-red, the first of God’s elect who had entered Paradise, and the first of God’s children who had worn the blood-red crown of martyrdom.

And then the cry was heard, loud and clear and strong; and thus it spoke: “Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!” And God Himself, rising from His throne, summoned the culprit to His presence; questioned him, condemned him out of His own mouth, and made him henceforth a fugitive and a vagabond, to wander over the surface of the earth, which was to be sterile to his plough.

And now, beloved, contrast the blood of Christ with this. There is Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God; He hangs upon a tree; He is murdered–murdered by His own brethren. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him–but put Him to death.

He bleeds; He dies; and then a cry is heard in Heaven.

The astonished angels again start from their seats, and they say, “What is this? What is this cry that we hear?” And the mighty Maker answers yet again, “It is the cry of blood; it is the cry of the blood of My only-begotten and well-beloved Son!”

And God, uprising from His throne, looks down from Heaven and listens to the cry. And what is the cry? It is not revenge; but the voice cries “Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!” Did you hear it? It said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

“The sprinkled blood which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].” Hebrews 12:24 (NLT)

Unto the Greeks Foolishness

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness” – 1 Cor. 1:23

Foolishness to the Greeks; that’s where we are today. Christ crucified is viewed in our modern culture as foolishness.

If you are on an honest quest for goodness, beauty, and truth – then you will arrive at Jesus.

Jesus is the truth.

And These Will Go Away

“Then He will say to those on His left: “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41). And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” – Jesus (Matt. 25:46).

“And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever.” – Rev. 14:11

This is the concession of the woefully Departed.

Here Jesus lays out the precise order of the Reprobate’s future.

This is what happens to those who reject Him.

Change this trajectory today, while it is not too late.

Yours! mine!

By John Flavel (1627-1691)

“The condemnation was Yours, that the justification might be mine! 

The agony was Yours, that the victory might be mine!
 
The pain was Yours, that eternal pleasure might be mine! 

The stripes were Yours, and the healing balm issuing from them were mine! 

The vinegar and gall were Yours, that the honey and sweet issuing from them might be mine! 

The curse was Yours, that the blessing might be mine! 

The crown of thorns was Yours, that the crown of glory might be mine! 

The sin-atoning death was Yours, that the heavenly life purchased by it might be mine! 

You paid the price, that I might enjoy the priceless inheritance!

They Murmur Against Me

How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me.” – God (Num. 14:27)

Be careful not to murmur against the good mercy of our Lord. He hears His children.

Stop Saying God Hates the Sin, Not the Sinner

God is angry with the wicked every day.” – Psa. 7:11

God hates all workers of iniquity.” – Psa. 5:5

People say, “God hates the sin and not the sinner,” but that is not found in Scripture.

God IS angry with the wicked EVERY DAY.

He hates all workers of iniquity.

It has been said that God hates the sin and loves the sinner. But it’s the sinner God sends to hell not just the sin.” – RC Sproul

https://twitter.com/RCSproul/status/740269117698150400?s=20

Companion in Tribulation

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” – Rev. 1:9

Believers are companions (knit together as brothers and sisters and fellow-partners)

… in the kingdom

… and in tribulation (persecution, affliction, distress)

– the kingdom and tribulation come hand in hand.

… and in the patience of Jesus.

The purpose for which is:

the sufficient word of God

… and for the testimony of Christ.

Another Jesus

“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” – 2 Cor. 11:4

Another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel cannot save.

A fake Jesus offers a fake salvation.

Preach the real Jesus or else sit down.

A Gold Cup Full of Abominations

The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality,” – Rev. 17:4

Beware the enticements of this world; Poison in a gold cup, full of abominations and unclean things.

Instead, be like the virgin spouse of Christ–who follows Him wherever He goes.

Who Revealed This To You?

Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” – Jesus (Matt. 16:17)

God endows His elect with the special grace of hearing and understanding, revealed by the Father, not our flesh and blood.

Jesus said it wasn’t Peter that came to an understanding, but it was God who revealed it to him.