“YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER”
SELECTED SCRIPTURES

I. Introduction
As we approach this Christmas, we find ourselves in the midst of one national or interna-tional crisis after another. Here are just two examples. Nationally, no one knows what our healthcare system is going to look like next year, or if the kind of healthcare we’ve all known will even exist in the future. Internationally, no one knows what is going to hap-pen in the Middle East next year either. Are we on the brink of a nuclear war?

Even though no one can predict the future, most Americans have always been confident in the future. But now it seems that those days are pretty much behind us. We are not the America we used to be. Does a day go by that we are not inundated with ridicule and attacks against the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the traditional family, our religious freedom, and virtually all of the standards and values we Americans have held dear for nearly two hundred and forty years. For example…

• Every day more of our unborn children are murdered for the sake of personal gain, selfishness, and convenience. The government not only fails to protect the inno-cent – it encourages the practice.
• Every day our national morality sinks deeper into the mire of utter depravity. The government not only legalizes and encourages immorality – it intimidates those who dare to speak out against it.
• Every day we see further deterioration of nearly everything that we in America have always thought to be decent and good and right and clean and honorable?

The older we get the more we try to cling to the past, but we can do nothing to return to a quieter, simpler, and more stable time. Everything changes. And so we are discouraged, disheartened, saddened, and yes, even angered by what we see all around us. Nothing remains the same as it was. Well, Christian, that’s not entirely true, is it? Let me encour-age you this morning with one of the great truths of Scripture. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever (Hebrews 13:8).”

“Yesterday, today, and forever!” I know how hard it is for us not to be affected by the troubles, pains, sorrows, afflictions, and miseries of this world. But it is my prayer for all of us this Christmas season that God will help us to see through all of that and focus on Jesus, our unchangeable Lord and Savior. It helps when we remember that we belong to Him, and although we are currently in this world, we are not of it.
John 15:19
19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
When we remember that one basic truth, it helps us to deal with the world around us, no matter what is going on in it. And it helps us to remember that, as long as God chooses to leave us in this world, He has a purpose for us here. The Apostle Paul tells us what it is.
*Romans 12:1-2
1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

So no matter what happens in this world, no matter how bad things may get, and no mat-ter how much things change, our God never changes. Listen to the psalmist.
Psalm 102:25-27
25 “Of old You found(ed) the earth; and the heavens are the work of your hands.
26 “Even they will perish, but You endure; and all of them will wear out like a garment; like clothing You will change them, and they will be changed.
27 “But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever (Hebrews 13:8).” That is just one of the great truths about our Lord and Savior to be found in Scripture. It reminds of His eternality, His unchanging attributes, and our hope that no matter what happens, how it happens, where it happens, or when it happens, Christ is the one constant, the One in whom we can stand confident and secure forever. We can cling to that throughout this Christmas season and every day of our lives on this earth.
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II. Text
This morning I want us to think about Jesus from those three perspectives – yesterday, today, and forever, or tomorrow. So think of the first Christmas, the First Coming as Christmas yesterday. As Christians, we believe that His coming to earth was the greatest single event in all of human history. And His birth was not unexpected.
The OT prophesied Messiah’s birth in great detail, and it did so again and again.

• Genesis tells us He will be the seed of the woman, the seed of Abraham, and that He will come from the tribe of Judah.
• Numbers says He will be of the seed of Jacob (Israel).
• Psalms, Jeremiah, and Isaiah all say that He will be the seed of David.
• Daniel tells of the time of His coming.
• Joel prophesies the coming of the Holy Spirit.
• Micah speaks of the place He will be born.
• Malachi tells us of His authority.
• Zechariah provides details of the last week of His life and the crucifixion itself.

And the Psalms and Isaiah are filled with specific details of His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection, and His Second Coming. So again, Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem was not a surprise to any thoughtful Jew who was “paying attention.” Simeon, a devout Jew, who was anticipating the coming of the Messiah, was paying close attention.
Luke 2:28-30
28 (Simeon) took (the baby) into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 “Now Lord, You let Your bond-servant depart in peace, according to Your word;
30 for my eyes have seen Your salvation…”

Anna, an elderly Jewish widow who was serving in the temple, was paying attention too.
Luke 2:38
38 (Anna) came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of (Jesus) to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Far off in the East the magi (aka the Wise Men) were also paying attention – and they weren’t even Jewish.
Matthew 2:9
9 …they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was.

That’s Christmas yesterday – when Jesus came the first time.

The second of the three perspectives would be Christmas today – that is, Christmas from our point of view. Just as most of the world was not paying attention when Jesus came the first time, so too most of the world isn’t paying attention today either. But we are.

Today, and throughout this month of December, we are celebrating Jesus’ First Coming. It is our annual remembrance of that moment in time when God chose to entered human history and gave us the One who would redeem our souls. We needed Him to do so because we could never redeem ourselves.

So we celebrate that great moment in time, the most important day on the Christian’s calendar. I know that many would call Easter – Resurrection Sunday – the most impor-tant Christian celebration and I understand that. After all, without Jesus’ resurrection there would be no salvation. But had Jesus not been born a man, He would not have died a man, and we would not be redeemed. Without Christmas there would be no Easter.

There are two kinds of people today. There are those who want nothing to do with Jesus and those who fall at His feet and worship Him as God.
This was true in the first century, it is true today, and it will be true tomorrow as well. Many would respond to that and say, “No, no that’s wrong. You’re being too black and white. Most people are neutral about Jesus. They don’t love Him or hate Him. They can take Him or leave Him.” Such is the myth of neutrality. But Jesus said…
Luke 11:23
23 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.”

So much for the neutrality! That is not an option God has left us. When it comes to Jesus, neutrality is rejection. That has always been true, it is true today, and it will be true in the future. The world would be just as happy today if there had never been a Christ child. But God’s saved and redeemed people want to acknowledge Him, thank Him, praise Him, and worship Him, just as the magi did when they came to Bethlehem.

If you are among God’s redeemed this morning, take time to thank Him for His choosing you to be one of His own. God has opened your spiritual eyes and enabled you to see clearly into the manger and understand just who is lying there – and why He is there.

But not everyone is interested in worshipping Him for who He is and what He has done.
Some are only interested in profiting from Jesus. It wasn’t all that long ago when you couldn’t shop seven days a week. Before malls you couldn’t shop on Sundays. Friday was usually the only night stores were even open past supper time. Now you can shop seven days a week until 9:00 pm or later. Since Thanksgiving you’ve been able to shop until midnight. And not to be outdone, some places were open Thanksgiving Day – all day! Now there are places where you can “Christmas shop” 24/7. “We never close!”

Or should I say, “holiday shop,” since there are stores where the words, “Merry Christ-mas,” may not be uttered by their employees. Of course, “Happy Holidays” is just fine. Few, I suspect, even have a clue that the word “holiday” is a contraction of two other words, “holy” and “day.” Listen, it is not the gods of the Hindus, or Mohammed, or Buddha, or even Moses who make December 25 a holy day – it is Christ, the Child of Christmas.

Then there are those today who try to ignore Jesus and His Word, the Bible. There was a time when ignorance of the Scriptures was something of an embarrassment to most peo-ple. Not today! In some quarters, such ignorance seems to be a badge of honor. But when you ignore God’s Word, you minimize its importance. If you don’t know it, you can conveniently act like it doesn’t exist, can’t you?

And then there are some today who would deny Jesus’ very existence. Isn’t it interesting that many of those who arrogantly believe they’re the brightest and most brilliant people alive today fall into that trap? But they’re not bright and brilliant. The fact is that they live in spiritual darkness. In reality they are fools. Isn’t that what the Scripture says?
Psalm 14:1
1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

The wrath of God rests upon such fools. (you were in Romans 12 – go to Romans 1)
*Romans 1:18-22
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools…

Finally, there are those, like us here this morning, who would worship Jesus. If you are like Simeon or Anna or the magi – if you are wise, you understand that you owe every-thing to this Christ child. He is the Lord of our lives and the Savior of our souls.

We celebrate that today, we will celebrate it throughout this Advent season, and we will celebrate it until the Lord calls us home, whether He chooses to come for us individually, one soul at a time, or corporately, all of us together, at the Rapture of the church.

Today Jesus Christ is turned into an excuse for profit, or He is ignored, or He is denied, but in the hearts and minds of true Christians, He is worshipped. That’s Christmas today.

We’ve looked at Jesus from the perspective of yesterday, the first Christmas. We’ve looked at Jesus from the perspective of today, Christmas as we celebrate it this year. But there is also another way of viewing Christmas. That would be the third perspective of looking at it from a future point of view.

I’m speaking of the Second Coming. In keeping with Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” – I suppose you could call it “Christmas forever.” The Second Coming is something every Christian can anticipate with great joy. In fact, Scripture promises blessings when we place our faith in the Lord’s return in power and glory. You and I are called to honor the very thought of Christ’s return.
We do so when we study about it, when we anticipate it, and when we love it.
2 Timothy 4:8
8 In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me,
but also to all who have loved His appearing.
Today we look back through two thousand years and put our faith in that new-born baby lying in the manger; something that has already happened. But we’re also called to put our faith in something that hasn’t yet happened – the Second Coming. Putting our faith in Jesus’ Second Coming is just as important as putting our faith in His First Coming.
Genesis 15:6
6 Then (Abraham) believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as right-eousness.

Abraham’s faith in the Lord’s First Coming pleased God. And our faith in the Second Coming pleases Him as well. Speaking of saving faith, the writer of Hebrews says to us,
“…without faith it is impossible to please Him… (Hebrews 11:6a).” Why is that? Because faith is the only way you can believe in the Jesus who came to earth two thousand years ago, isn’t it? And it is the only way you can believe that this same Jesus will return to earth in the future. Remember the two angels at the Ascension? (back a few pages to Acts 1)
*Acts 1:11
11 and they also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go…”

We put our faith in the fact that Jesus was and is the Jewish Messiah – the Christ – the Son of the living God. So we believe all that He said. And some of the most important and astounding things He said were about His Second Advent. (back a few pages to John 14)
*John 14:1-3
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

The Bible is overflowing with prophecies about Jesus’ return. No less than twenty of the twenty-seven NT books speak of it. So ask yourself – if the OT prophesies about Jesus’ first advent came to pass, why would anyone think the NT prophecies about His second advent would not come to pass? After all, He must come back to this earth. But why must He come back? In order to understand why Jesus must come back, we need to understand why Jesus came to earth the first time. He had work to do.

He accomplished much as a result of that first Christmas two thousand years ago. We have much to celebrate! Here are just a few of the reasons Jesus came the first time.
• He came to show us what God “looks” like. He said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father (John 14:9b).”
• He came to provide us an example. He said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Matthew 16:24).”
• He came to experience death. He said, “I lay down My life on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again (John 10:18).”
• He came not only to experience death, but to defeat it. And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death…the first things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).
• He came to remove our sins. And you know that He appeared in order to take away sins (1 John 3:5).
• He came to destroy the works of the devil. The Son of God appeared for this pur-pose, that He might destroy the works of Satan (1 John 3:8).
• Finally, Jesus came to make an effectual sacrifice. “Effectual” is the key word.
“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)!”

A man has to pay for the sins of a man. But there are problems. We can make sacrifices for our sins from now until forever. But such sacrifices are not effectual. That’s because the sacrifice for sin must be perfect in every way. It must be without spot or blemish. But the very best man is anything but perfect. We know that the very best man, woman, or child is filled with spots and blemishes.

So, even the death of the very best man would be an imperfect and ineffectual sacrifice. Even if God wanted to die for us, it would be impossible because God cannot die. So the problem should be obvious. A man’s death is ineffectual and God’s death is impossible. But God solved the problem and sent His Son. And He sent Him in human flesh.

This is how Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. And it is why no other religious figure or so-called “holy man” can ever save anyone. Jesus Christ alone can save us. Only Jesus Christ is qualified. Only Jesus Christ is able.

When you think about that baby in the manger, think about all that He came to do. Think about all that He accomplished while He was here. Think of all the things He did that relate directly to your salvation and to mine. He bore our sins, He defeated Satan, and He paid the price that God required to redeem our souls.

In short, He accomplished what was needed to give us eternal life. Is this not what we celebrate at Christmas? But Jesus must come again. There must be a future advent, a “future Christmas,” as it were. He must return to earth.
Hebrews 9:28
28 …so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

For what purpose will Jesus appear a second time? Well, not for the purpose of bearing and defeating sin – He’s already done that, hasn’t He? The Second Coming will be about what He did not do when He was here the first time.
It will be about judgment, the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom, and the visible display of His victory over Satan. That’s why He is coming back. Turn to Luke 1. It’s a well-known Christmas passage. But look carefully and you’ll see something interesting.
*Luke 1:32-33
32 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David;
33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.”

Look at v. 32. He is great. He is the eternal Son of God. But is He on the throne of David today? No! Look at v. 33. Is He reigning over Israel today? Again, No! So Jesus must return to remove the church from the wrath to come. Once the church is removed in the Rapture, God’s holy wrath will be poured out in His judgment of this world. That will be the Great Tribulation that John details for us in Revelation 6-19.

With regard to the church, God has promised it will be preserved from the wrath to come. To the faithful church in Philadelphia Jesus said, “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth (Revelation 3:10).” So the next event on the prophetic calendar will be the Rapture.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

With regard to Israel, Jesus must return in order to fulfill the Davidic Covenant and to establish the Messianic (Millennial) Kingdom. Listen to God’s words to King David.
2 Samuel 7:16
16 “And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”

It is for these reasons that Jesus Christ must return. First He will Rapture the church. Then He will return to earth, establish His Millennial Kingdom and will take His seat on the throne of David in Jerusalem. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

III. Conclusion
We have seen the baby in the manger. We can picture Him lying in the straw wrapped in cloths. But can you picture Him at His return? Revelation does it for us.
*Revelation 19:11-16
11 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12 And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.
13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
15 And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

The Second Coming is yet future. But it will be the same Jesus. At His ascension to heaven His disciples stood gazing up as He arose. Do you remember what the angels who were standing there told them? They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come again in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).”

Jesus “…is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” He must return. The ulti-mate destiny of the church, Israel, the unsaved, Satan, this planet upon which we live, and all of creation itself, depend upon His return.
1 John 3:2
2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

We look forward to celebrating Christmas, but I urge you to look past this Christmas and look forward to His Second Coming. What a Merry Christmas that will be! Can you say with me, “Come, Lord Jesus!”?

~ Pray ~

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever” Hebrews 13:8