I AM — no angel

I AM — No Angel

Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels… Colossians 2:1a

False Doctrines

Most of us are keenly aware that there are religions that erroneously teach Jesus is not God. But did you know that there are some who instruct that Jesus is a created being; an angel, the brother of Michael the Arch angel? And yet another that espouses Jesus is the brother of the fallen angel Lucifer? And that these religions consider themselves to be Christian?

If Jesus Were an Angel

Jesus is not a created being, nor is He an angel, but if He were, how could these false religions justify worshiping Him when we see in the Colossians text (above) we are not to worship angels? That verse alone should send a clear signal that their doctrine is severely flawed, but if it does not, then the first chapter of Hebrews should.

God Says…

All we need do is examine closely what God says about His Son Jesus and what He says about angels. God refers to Jesus as the heir of all things, the maker of all things, and the upholder of all things. Oh yes, and let us not dismiss this little gem:

And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire.” But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. Hebrews 1:7-8

God calls Jesus God. Is that not incredible? To those false religions who would say Jesus is not Lord, I fail to see how you can get around this passage. God the Father, says of His Son Jesus, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”
In the previous verse, God the Father declares, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Again, in the context of our opening verse from Colossians, we are not to worship angels; however, they (the angels) are to worship Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is no angel.

Putting the Argument to Bed

Do you not know that we shall judge angels? 1 Corinthians 6:3

I do not understand the fullness of this verse–it boggles my mind sometimes, but nevertheless, we (the saints) will be in a position to judge the angels. If Jesus were (and again, He is not) the angelic brother of Michael (or Lucifer), this means we would be judging Him as well. Hopefully we all see the outrageousness and absurdity of that notion.

Who Being the Brightness of His Glory

Hebrews also reminds us that Jesus is the light. In heaven, there is no sun that illuminates, only the eternal brightness of His glory. Furthermore we are to be reflectors of His light. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, we are to reflect the light of His Son, Jesus. Of what worth is a timid mirror?

Hebrews 1-2:1

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son; today I have become your Father”[a]?

Or again,

“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”[b]?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”[c]

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”[d]

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”[e]

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”[f]

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”[g]?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Chapter 2

Warning to Pay Attention

1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

 

Jesus Christ is the 10 Commandments

Hey Evangelist Joe,

 

I want to know your take on I think Romans 4 or 8 where it says “we have been released from the law that once bound us and we are dead to the law” and “the law is not for the righteous but for the ungodly” wouldn’t that mean it is for the unbeliever and not for the believer or righteous I think in 1 Timothy I can’t look it up because I am texting and combining wheat lol. Not for argument sake I really want to know your take on it. So what i am asking is How can the law be for the Christian when we are supposed to be dead to it and released from it?

 

From, @#R%$%#$@

—————————————————————————————————

 

Dear @#R%$%#$@,

 

Thank you sir, for giving me this moment to explain ‘how I take’ Romans 7:6 and the rest of the scripture around it. Let me first say that this verse states the consequences of the gospel, in distinction from the effects of the Law. Notice i said the effects of, not just ‘the law’. However, to keep in context i posted from verse 6 down to the end of the chapter. I would like to bring your attention to verses 22-23 as well along side of verse 6.

 

Verse 6  : But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

Verse 22  : For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.   

Notice here sir, that Paul is addressing two laws but the same one at the same time. The ‘Law of God according to the inward man’ and the other law, ‘law of sin’.  But yet, he is addressing the laws of the Jews given to them by God the Father in Exodus. But what are those laws found in Exodus; the 10 commandment, and the 10 commandments ONLY!

 

(Side-note : we will also see the rules of procedure and rules of order for holy days [holidays] in exodus too)

 

If you have studied anything about Jews, their laws, and Christ, you would know that the Jewish leaders added some 300+ laws to those first 10. So here we already see a setting that is making two kinds of law from the original, God’s and man’s. Now, lets jump forward a few years to Christ. One of the main things any 1^st  yr theology student will tell you about the first 4 books of the NT is that Christ is quoted several times saying ” Verily, Verily, You have heard it said (then some OT verse and how the pharisees have taught it) but I say (the OT verse again but how God intended it to be viewed and/or used)”  When Christ said ” you have heard it said…but i say…” He did not dismiss the verse, or delete the verse, or call it heresy. Instead, He showed how man, with man laws, had twisted its meaning and then He showed how we are to actually view it from God’s view.

 

Christ said he came to not destroy the law, but to fulfill it. To fulfill, you act and use whatever you are fulfilling! Christ pointed back to the 10 commandments and that was it, He showed us that the 300+ rules the pharisee and others added was a law of death and a law of sin. God did not care if we spit in the dirt on a Saturday and it made mud….that wasn’t rebelling against “resting on the sabbath”. That was simply getting extra water and such out of your mouth.

 

The 10 commandments in Exodus and the holy days all pointed to Christ. They showed what to look for, the resume, if you will, of the coming Messiah. The Jews missed this and thought it just a way of living ones life. They did not even know it was a message pointing out who the messiah was. Christ had to even point this out to his disciples and finally, after a lot of correction teachings from Christ, they finally realized he was the Son of God when peter made his famous revelation about Christ being the Son of God. Then and there, Peter came to understand the difference between the two laws. We see this by comparing Peter’s life before this revelation and then after!  🙂

 

Paul, when talking about the law of sin, the law of death, he is talking about the law man made from God’s 10 laws. That law didn’t point to Christ, it pointed to rules and regulations for the point of being able to call oneself holier then his brother. This law when added to the 10 commandments (b/c man’s laws did include the 10 commandments) was the “another law i see in my members”. 

 

The “God’s Law of the inward man”, is just the 10 commandments and the 10 commandments only. Christ filled that ‘resume’ and proved to be the 10 commandments. He didn’t follow them, He is them. They are He, He is them…lol…. i hope you see my point. Scripture say that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and if that is so and the 10 commandments are Him and He is them, then they are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Now to your Romans 7:6 and 1 Timothy question : “Wouldn’t that mean it is for the unbeliever and not for the believer or righteous”.

Now ‘the ending’ of my answer lol :  yes and no, and here is why. Before Christ came to earth and died on the Cross (Cross representing the Old Testament Law of Punishment for sin) and the Resurrection ( New Testament of Grace for those who are dead in sin) we have to look at how the 10 commandments were meant to be viewed. We have already discussed that they pointed to Christ but we haven’t discussed the punishment side of it.

We know that God the Father is very protective over Himself, being that one of the first 10 commandments is that you can not have any other god before Him, and that the unforgivable sin is mockery of the Holy Spirit. Since God does not change and the 10 commandments is Christ, we know that God is very protective over the 10 commandments but why?

Because any thing less then what they were, would show and point to a fake Christ, a lie of what actually is. God the Father was so harsh in punishment, ‘death’, b/c He was saying anything else then perfect is not God, and not following the commandments points to an imperfect god and that is a lie and a sin. Sin equals death, so the braking of the commandment it pointed to sin and not Christ, and in essences said that Christ was sin….see the lie?

That is why all punishment from Father God was just, holy, and right and we can only agree. But what about when Christ came to earth? Christ is the 10 commandments, so He is the law, the law of God of the inward man. He did not brake the commandments, he kept them all, that’s why he was sinless. Since He kept the laws, no punishment is to be dealt out on Him. So we see the 10 commandments now, as still kept in perfection, without flaw or blemish, to this day since Christ’s birth!!! That just makes me want to dance! To denie the 10 commandments is to denie Christ and what He did on the Cross, Christ’s blood covered the cross and remember the cross stood for the punishment, the past brakes of the commandments were paid for in blood and with the cross,  the old testament, being covered in Blood, it was fulfilled.

The New Covenant did not take place until 3 days later when Christ arose. The Risen part is what started the New Covenant. We are to look at the 10 commandments as Christ. He set us free from the man’s law and the punishment of sin, death. The resurrection, the new covenant, gives us life and life more abundantly. Christ said, I come to give you life and life more abundantly….. not I am giving life and life more abundantly…because none of that mattered until his resurrection. Christ is for both the lost and the Saved. The 10 commandments to the lost are still under old covenant because if they die without Christ, their sins give them the second death, however, with the 10 commandments ‘the Christ’, we have life more abundantly that we are saved and we are dead, the ‘Sir’ and Joe are dead…its Christ talking to Christ in the Father’s eyes! (How amazing is that! This too, makes me want to just dance in joy!)

So the 10 commandments are still for the lost in the fact that they point them to Christ, but the 10 commandments is no longer in effect for us in this manner; it is our Salvation, it is Christ and He is our savior, so as the Christian, the 10 commandments that point to a messiah has been released, b/c with that viewing comes the judgment, the punishment for not following it, however, the 10 commandments for the Christian is the fulfilled side, the ‘It is Finished” side! Hallelujah!

So the 10 commandments if for both the lost and saved, the righteous and unrighteous, but different depending on which side you are on (lost or saved).

So in conclusion, you can not dismiss the 10 commandments in Exodus as heresy or wrong or evil or bad because even Romans 7:12 claims the law to be holy and good. Christ is Holy, Just, and good and He is not wrong, heresy, or evil/bad. So to claim the 10 commandments as so is to claim Christ as so. Maybe now you see why I take a stance against those who say the 10 commandments are law and law equals death so abandon it and the old testament. What they are saying about Christ (the law of God = the 10 commandments = Christ) is dead wrong and it is heresy!

 

– Evangelist Joe Collins

A Physician Analyzes the Crucifixion

A Physician Analyzes the

Crucifixion

A medical explanation of what Jesus endured on the day He died

by Dr. C. Truman Davis

( Dr. C. Truman Davis is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. He is a practicing ophthalmologist, a pastor, and author of a book about medicine and the Bible. )

Several years ago I became interested in the physical aspects of the passion, or suffering, of Jesus Christ when I read an account of the crucifixion in Jim Bishop’s book, The Day Christ Died. I suddenly realized that I had taken the crucifixion more or less for granted all these years — that I had grown callous to its horror by a too-easy familiarity with the grim details. It finally occurred to me that, as a physician, I did not even know the actual immediate cause of Christ’s death. The gospel writers do not help much on this point. Since crucifixion and scourging were so common during their lifetimes, they undoubtedly considered a detailed description superfluous. For that reason we have only the concise words of the evangelists: “Pilate, having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to them to be crucified … and they crucified Him.”

Despite the gospel accounts’ silence on the details of Christ’s crucifixion, many have looked into this subject in the past. In my personal study of the event from a medical viewpoint, I am indebted especially to Dr. Pierre Barbet, a French surgeon who did exhaustive historical and experimental research and wrote extensively on the topic.

An attempt to examine the infinite psychic and spiritual suffering of the Incarnate God in atonement for the sins of fallen man is beyond the scope of this article. However, the physiological and anatomical aspects of our Lord’s passion we can examine in some detail. What did the body of Jesus of Nazareth actually endure during those hours of torture?

Gethsemane

The physical passion of Christ began in Gethsemane. Of the many aspects of His initial suffering, the one which is of particular physiological interest is the bloody sweat. Interestingly enough, the physician, St. Luke, is the only evangelist to mention this occurrence. He says, “And being in an agony, he prayed the longer. And his sweat became as drops of blood, trickling down upon the ground” (Luke 22:44 KJV).

Every attempt imaginable has been used by modern scholars to explain away the phenomenon of bloody sweat, apparently under the mistaken impression that it simply does not occur. A great deal of effort could be saved by consulting the medical literature. Though very rare, the phenomenon of hematidrosis, or bloody sweat, is well documented. Under great emotional stress, tiny capillaries in the sweat glands can break, thus mixing blood with sweat. This process alone could have produced marked weakness and possible shock.

Although Jesus’ betrayal and arrest are important portions of the passion story, the next event in the account which is significant from a medical perspective is His trial before the Sanhedrin and Caiaphas, the High Priest. Here the first physical trauma was inflicted. A soldier struck Jesus across the face for remaining silent when questioned by Caiaphas. The palace guards then blindfolded Him, mockingly taunted Him to identify them as each passed by, spat on Him, and struck Him in the face.

Before Pilate

In the early morning, battered and bruised, dehydrated, and worn out from a sleepless night, Jesus was taken across Jerusalem to the Praetorium of the Fortress Antonia, the seat of government of the Procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate. We are familiar with Pilate’s action in attempting to shift responsibility to Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Judea. Jesus apparently suffered no physical mistreatment at the hands of Herod and was returned to Pilate. It was then, in response to the outcry of the mob, that Pilate ordered Barabbas released and condemned Jesus to scourging and crucifixion.

Preparations for Jesus’ scourging were carried out at Caesar’s orders. The prisoner was stripped of His clothing and His hands tied to a post above His head. The Roman legionnaire stepped forward with the flagrum, or flagellum, in his hand. This was a short whip consisting of several heavy, leather thongs with two small balls of lead attached near the ends of each. The heavy whip was brought down with full force again and again across Jesus’ shoulders, back, and legs. At first the weighted thongs cut through the skin only. Then, as the blows continued, they cut deeper into the subcutaneous tissues, producing first an oozing of blood from the capillaries and veins of the skin and finally spurting arterial bleeding from vessels in the underlying muscles.

The small balls of lead first produced large deep bruises that were broken open by subsequent blows. Finally, the skin of the back was hanging in long ribbons, and the entire area was an unrecognizable mass of torn, bleeding tissue. When it was determined by the centurion in charge that the prisoner was near death, the beating was finally stopped.

Mockery

The half-fainting Jesus was then untied and allowed to slump to the stone pavement, wet with his own blood. The Roman soldiers saw a great joke in this provincial Jew claiming to be a king. They threw a robe across His shoulders and placed a stick in His hand for a scepter. They still needed a crown to make their travesty complete. Small flexible branches covered with long thorns, commonly used for kindling fires in the charcoal braziers in the courtyard, were plaited into the shape of a crude crown. The crown was pressed into his scalp and again there was copious bleeding as the thorns pierced the very vascular tissue. After mocking Him and striking Him across the face, the soldiers took the stick from His hand and struck Him across the head, driving the thorns deeper into His scalp. Finally, they tired of their sadistic sport and tore the robe from His back. The robe had already become adherent to the clots of blood and serum in the wounds, and its removal, just as in the careless removal of a surgical bandage, caused excruciating pain. The wounds again began to bleed.

Golgotha

In deference to Jewish custom, the Romans apparently returned His garments. The heavy patibulum of the cross was tied across His shoulders. The procession of the condemned Christ, two thieves, and the execution detail of Roman soldiers headed by a centurion began its slow journey along the route which we know today as the Via Dolorosa.

In spite of Jesus’ efforts to walk erect, the weight of the heavy wooden beam, together with the shock produced by copious loss of blood, was too much. He stumbled and fell. The rough wood of the beam gouged into the lacerated skin and muscles of the shoulders. He tried to rise, but human muscles had been pushed beyond their endurance. The centurion, anxious to proceed with the crucifixion, selected a stalwart North African onlooker, Simon of Cyrene, to carry the cross. Jesus followed, still bleeding and sweating the cold, clammy sweat of shock. The 650-yard journey from the Fortress Antonia to Golgotha was finally completed. The prisoner was again stripped of His clothing except for a loin cloth which was allowed the Jews.

The crucifixion began. Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh, a mild analgesic, pain-reliving mixture. He refused the drink. Simon was ordered to place the patibulum on the ground, and Jesus was quickly thrown backward, with His shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire felt for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drove a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly, he moved to the other side and repeated the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flexion and movement. The patibulum was then lifted into place at the top of the stipes, and the titulus reading “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” was nailed into place.

The left foot was pressed backward against the right foot. With both feet extended, toes down, a nail was driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees moderately flexed. The victim was now crucified.

On the Cross

As Jesus slowly sagged down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shot along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain. The nails in the wrists were putting pressure on the median nerve, large nerve trunks which traverse the mid-wrist and hand. As He pushed himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, He placed His full weight on the nail through His feet. Again there was searing agony as the nail tore through the nerves between the metatarsal bones of this feet.

At this point, another phenomenon occurred. As the arms fatigued, great waves of cramps swept over the muscles, knotting them in deep relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps came the inability to push Himself upward. Hanging by the arm, the pectoral muscles, the large muscles of the chest, were paralyzed and the intercostal muscles, the small muscles between the ribs, were unable to act. Air could be drawn into the lungs, but could not be exhaled. Jesus fought to raise Himself in order to get even one short breath. Finally, the carbon dioxide level increased in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.

The Last Words

Spasmodically, He was able to push Himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. It was undoubtedly during these periods that He uttered the seven short sentences that are recorded.

The first – looking down at the Roman soldiers throwing dice for His seamless garment: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”

The second – to the penitent thief: “Today, thou shalt be with me in Paradise.”

The third – looking down at Mary Jesus’ mother, He said: “Woman, behold your son.” Then turning to the terrified, grief-stricken adolescent John, the beloved apostle, He said: “Behold your mother.”

The fourth cry is from the beginning of Psalm 22: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

He suffered hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, and searing pain as tissue was torn from His lacerated back from His movement up and down against the rough timbers of the cross. Then another agony began: a deep crushing pain in the chest as the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, slowly filled with serum and began to compress the heart.

The prophecy in Psalm 22:14 was being fulfilled: “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint, my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.”

The end was rapidly approaching. The loss of tissue fluids had reached a critical level; the compressed heart was struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood to the tissues, and the tortured lungs were making a frantic effort to inhale small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues sent their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus gasped His fifth cry: “I thirst.” Again we read in the prophetic psalm: “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou has brought me into the dust of death” (Psalm 22:15 KJV).

A sponge soaked in posca, the cheap, sour wine that was the staple drink of the Roman legionnaires, was lifted to Jesus’ lips. His body was now in extremis, and He could feel the chill of death creeping through His tissues. This realization brought forth His sixth word, possibly little more than a tortured whisper: “It is finished.” His mission of atonement had been completed. Finally, He could allow His body to die. With one last surge of strength, He once again pressed His torn feet against the nail, straightened His legs, took a deeper breath, and uttered His seventh and last cry: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

Death

The common method of ending a crucifixion was by crurifracture, the breaking of the bones of the leg. This prevented the victim from pushing himself upward; the tension could not be relieved from the muscles of the chest, and rapid suffocation occurred. The legs of the two thieves were broken, but when the soldiers approached Jesus, they saw that this was unnecessary.

Apparently, to make doubly sure of death, the legionnaire drove his lance between the ribs, upward through the pericardium and into the heart. John 19:34 states, “And immediately there came out blood and water.” Thus there was an escape of watery fluid from the sac surrounding the heart and the blood of the interior of the heart. This is rather conclusive post-mortem evidence that Jesus died, not the usual crucifixion death by suffocation, but of heart failure due to shock and constriction of the heart by fluid in the pericardium.

Resurrection

In these events, we have seen a glimpse of the epitome of evil that man can exhibit toward his fellowman and toward God. This is an ugly sight and is likely to leave us despondent and depressed.

But the crucifixion was not the end of the story. How grateful we can be that we have a sequel: a glimpse of the infinite mercy of God toward man — the gift of atonement, the miracle of the resurrection, and the expectation of Easter morning.

---

From New Wine Magazine, April 1982. Originally published in Arizona Medicine, March 1965, Arizona Medical Association.

Advent Wreath Candles and Their Meanings

Advent Wreath Candles

 

Most Advent wreaths use three colors – purple, pink, and white. However, some may use blue in place of the purple.

1. 1st CANDLE – (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)
2. 2nd CANDLE – (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘ (Luke 3:4-6)
3. 3rd CANDLE – (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY – The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:7-15)
4. 4th CANDLE – (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
5. 5th CANDLE – (white) “CHRIST CANDLE” – The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! Being placed in the center of the ’empty space’ also is a physical reminder that Christ came down from heaven and entered into our world for our salvation. When the candle is lit, it reminds us that Christ is the light of the world!  After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” (John 1:29)

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.‘” (John 3:1-8)

The Meaning of the Christmas Advent Wreath

Meaning of the Christmas Advent Wreath

By : Evangelist Joe Collins

 

The Meaning of the Christmas Wreaths and  Advent Wreaths :

 

History of the Advent Wreath :

The Advent wreath is a part of our long-standing tradition and history of the Christian Church of Jesus Christ. Wreaths have much history and symbolism associated with them, however, the actual origins are somewhat uncertain as of where this act of remembrance and worship of God comes from. There is some evidence out there of a pre-Christian tradition using a wreath and candles by a Germanic peoples that would light the candles in the wreath during the days of December, to be a symbol of hope and faith that the days of spring would bring warmth again to their land and that the sun would stay out longer during the day, occurred. In Scandinavia rituals to a god of light that they worshiped, the people would light candles and place them around a wheel during the winter season during the year, and pray to this god of light that he/she/it would turn “the wheel of the earth” back toward the sun to make the days longer again and to bring warmth back to the area..

By the Middle Ages, we find a lot of history and facts and evidence that Christians were using wreaths in tradition, as well as, a symbol of remembrance of Christ and aspects of the Christian faith. History shows us that by about the 1600’s, both Catholics and Lutherans (The two dominant christian groups during that time) were using the advent wreathes as part of their preparation for Christmas. Both groups had begun to make Christmas a more formal practice in the setting of the church and it’s people and by doing so, added the advent wreath into it as well.

In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, mainly as Christmas decorations to celebrate the birth of Christ, but they are also still used in ceremonial events in many other cultures around the globe.

The first known association with these now modern day wreaths dates back to the Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century. In 1839, JohannHinrich Wichern used a wreath made from a cart wheel to educate children about the meaning and purpose of Christmas, as well as to help them count its approach. For every Sunday of Advent, starting with the fourth Sunday before Christmas, he would put a white candle in the wreath and for every day in between he would use a red candle.

Since then, all wreaths, whether placed on a door, table or anywhere, finds its history; its past; its origins, from the Church and the Advent Wreath!

Wreaths found in Scripture :

During the times of the Bible (about a 6000 yr span), there were wreaths as well. They had two types. Most famously known is the Greek/Roman gold metal leaflet wreaths one would wear around their head, but the secondary, less famous one, is the wreath we know of today that we decorate and put out during holidays or at funerals. Though there are a few scriptures about wreaths in general, I will post only the scriptures about the wreaths we know of today. The references are 1 Kings 7:29,  1 Kings 7:30, and 1 King 7:36.

Symbols of Remembrance :

The symbolism of the Advent wreath is a great reminder of Christ and the ideologies of the Christian faith, and because of all the many things it symbolizes and helps us remember, it can be somewhat lengthily to remember. 

First, the Advent wreath, as a whole, symbolizes the first coming of Christ 2000 years ago and our  preparation (waiting) for the second coming of Christ and His earthly kingdom He will establish. Advent, itself, stands for for “Come” and “Arrival”. Christ has come and has paid the price for our salvation, and He will Arrive again as Scriptures state.

Advent wreaths are usually an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs or various materials that is constructed to resemble a ring of sorts. Now depending on whether or not, you are making a plain wreath or an advent wreath will determine whether or not you have candles in it. Candles are usually only in Advent wreaths because they are there more for remembrance purposes and acts of worship then just for looks. The circular shape of the wreath (ring) has no beginning or end and therefore best represents God, Who, like the ring, has no beginning and no end. The ‘ring’ has also meant to some the symbol of Christ’s love for us, being that His love is eternal.

Now Advent wreaths are usually made from evergreens to represent everlasting (eternal) life brought through Jesus Christ because evergreens last even throughout the harshest winters and never die. The evergreens also symbolize ‘Strength’ that we find in Christ Jesus, because Evergreens seem to never give up and die during the winter season unlike all other trees who give up their leaves and appear dead.

Most, if not all Advent Wreaths, have holly in it one way or another whether it is holly branches or just holly berries or both. Holly branches have thorns and when used in a wreath it represents the thorns on Jesus’ crown when he was crucified for our sins. Bright red holly berries symbolize the droplets of Jesus’ blood that was shed for us.

A Christmas Wreath, unlike the Advent Wreath, has a meaning that can be ‘added’ to it if hung up on a door (the front door preferably). The door is where someone is welcomed into the home, house, or building. Christ welcomes us to salvation if we choose to accept it, just like we are welcomed to enter into the home, house, or building if we so choose. Also, the wreath hangs on the door, like Christ hung on the cross for our sins, another symbol to remember!

The middle of the wreath (Christmas & Advent) is bare and is an empty space. This symbolizes to us to remember what life would be like for us as christians without Christ’s love and grace, and how the world is to those who are not saved.

Pine cones, nuts, or any type of seeds used to decorate the wreath symbolize the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the life and resurrection that we have now, as well.

The Candles and their meanings :

The four candles in the wreath represent the four weeks of Advent. The fifth candle, sits in the middle of the empty space of the center of the wreath represents Christ, Himself. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until our Savior’s Birth, Jesus Christ. But each candle also has its own name and its own symbols as well.

Most Advent wreaths use three colors – purple, pink, and white. However, some may use blue in place of the purple.

1. 1st CANDLE – (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE – We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God. “And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:12-13)
2. 2nd CANDLE – (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PREPARATION – God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to “get ready”. Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD! “As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God’s salvation.‘ (Luke 3:4-6)
3. 3rd CANDLE – (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY – The angels sang a message of JOY! “…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:7-15)
4. 4th CANDLE – (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE – The angles announced the good news of a Savior. God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
5. 5th CANDLE – (white) “CHRIST CANDLE” – The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins! Being placed in the center of the ’empty space’ also is a physical reminder that Christ came down from heaven and entered into our world for our salvation. When the candle is lit, it reminds us that Christ is the light of the world!  After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!‘” (John 1:29)

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.’ In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.‘” (John 3:1-8)

This family practice this a good tradition that helps us to remain vigilant in our homes and not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, Christ Jesus.