"EXIT"

John 1:5-8

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another."

Bless the Lord my beautiful sisters and brothers in Christ Jesus! It's so sweet to trust in Jesus and to take Him at His Word. I pray that you are well in body, mind, and spirit. We thank God for bringing us this far and allowing us to see another new year! As we reflect on our lives, it’s only by God’s grace and mercy that we are still standing here today. Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus.

I want to take this time and encourage you to be ready before it is time to EXIT this world. Believe it or not the Lord does not want us to be caught off guard! The Bible gives us instructions that we must apply to our lives so our souls can be saved and prepared for the day that He shall return.

As I was studying the book of John, I received a revelation from the Lord as I saw the word “extinguish.” John 1:5 states, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, extinguish means to bring to an end: make an end of. Immediately, I thought of a time while in Bible College, sitting in the classroom listening to the instructor. I looked up at the EXIT sign. As I gazed at it, I saw Existed, eXtinguish, Illuminate, Transformed. At that moment I didn’t understand the fullness of it, but I wrote it down. 

Saints as I meditated on this revelation, I felt the presence of God leading me to encourage us today. In this one-word EXIT, Jesus Existed to eXtinguish darkness so He can Illuminate us to be Transformed when we EXIT this world. For we will be transformed in a twinkling of an eye when our Lord returns. 1 Corinthians 15:52 gives us this blessed assurance, “It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.” Jesus came to extinguish (do away with) all sin in our lives, so we can truly be illuminated with His light. 

How can we maintain the light of Jesus? 

Over 3,000 souls were saved on the Day of Pentecost after the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but it didn’t stop there, the Bible says, “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Daily we must meditate on the Word and submit to fasting and praying so that our minds can be renewed. One day we all will EXIT this world because “It's appointed once for man to die, but after this the judgement” (Hebrews 9:27) Brethren, we are not ordinary people, but children of the living God. 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) states, "For you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light."

John the Baptist is highlighted in our focus scripture, where we see him as the forerunner for Christ, the one who was preparing God’s people for His coming. John confessed in John 1:8-9 that he was not the light, but simply a witness telling about the light-Jesus-that would give light to everyone in this world. His divine purpose was to be a voice in the world, just as we should be a voice in our community, with our families, or on the job, telling others about the coming of the Lord. 

John strongly preached about repentance. The Bible tells us, in Matthew 3:6-8,"When they confessed their sins, John baptized them in the Jordan River. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them by calling them a “brood of snakes!” Today, who is warning you to flee God’s coming wrath? Is there evidence that you have repented of your sins and turned to God? Like John our perspective should be that, comes what may, this Word must be told before we all EXIT the world. I pray that we will all rise to the call and have a desperate cry for all nations.

People of God, I come with a desire to see our souls saved! For the Lord wishes for none to perish but for all to come unto repentance! When Jesus came on the scene, He continued preaching about repentance, just like John. Matthew 4:17 declares, "From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

I come in the name of Lord Jesus today to declare to all the world: in order to be saved, we must continue to preach the importance of repentance!! We must adhere to the Great Plan of Salvation, according to Acts 2:38. John the Baptist came to tell about the true light, Jesus, who is the light. Jesus came to give us the light and for the light to dwell within us. Peter and the Apostles took on this light and went into the world to fulfill the Great Commission. We too have been given the honor and privilege to take up the mantle and go into the world. 

Before we EXIT this world, our souls need to adhere to the Great Plan of Salvation in order to be saved. So brethren, can you see the clear picture that the Lord is trying to reveal to us?

Paul the Apostle received divine revelation- as noted in Acts 19. He asked some disciples if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed and what baptism they received. After hearing their reply, he taught them the right way according to the Word of God. The Bible tells us, “As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied” (KJV).

I believe with all my heart that Jesus wants all to know there is only one God! Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one”. He is not three persons in one but one God, Jesus Christ. Many have been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit without understanding that Jesus wanted us to receive the revelation, just as His Apostle did in the book of Acts. Acknowledging all the titles (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is vital, but the correct way of baptism is mentioned right on the day of Pentecost as they waited to tarry for the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (KJV). The name is necessary, the name Jesus saves! 

The Extinguisher (Jesus Christ of Nazareth) came to baptize us with the Holy Ghost and fire that cannot be extinguished. I pray that all reading this devotion will receive the revelation and open their hearts to receive with understanding.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 2:8-10 NLT, "Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” The fullness of the Godhead is all in Jesus! Come let us hear the whole conclusion of the matter! Fear God and keep His commandments.

Will you be the voice to cry out in your community before you EXIT this world?

Will you share this revelation to others, knowing we need to be saved in order to be with the Lord for eternity? I pray that your answer will be Yes LORD!

Please see the link below for great books to read if you desire more knowledge of Baptism & the Holy Ghost?

Pentecostal Publishing House, UPCI | Apostolic Curriculum & Resources

This is the Word from the Lord and honor it, in Jesus' name.

Please take time to read the scriptures throughout.

Have a blessed weekend.