Bible Study - Prophecies (5) - The Light and Glory of GOD - Luke 2:25-35 - Janiary 2, 2022

 

Bible Study – Prophecies (5) – The Light and Glory of GOD – January 2, 2022

This lesson 5 in our series entitled, “Irrefutable Prophecies That Point Us to JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is Luke 2:25-35.

JESUS reveals GOD’S Glory and Love.

Let’s read Luke 2:25-27a:

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

²⁵ There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple.

Who was Simeon? It is believed that Simeon was a Gentile who was looking for the coming of the promised Messiah. He was a righteous and devout man, who was looking forward to GOD’S consolation or “Counselor.” JESUS used “Counselor” for Holy Spirit or The ONE Who comes along a person’s side to bring comfort, guidance and encouragement. Simeon was longing for the day when all people would experience the presence of the Holy Spirit as he had. GOD had given him special insight that day and he was led to come to the temple.

GOD had spoken to Simeon through the Holy Spirit that he would not see the physical death until he saw the LORD’S Messiah.

If you have ever experienced GOD’S promise to you, then you understand that Simeon was waiting, with great anticipation, when this moment would happen. He fully expected it. Where he was and what he was doing when the Holy Spirit urged him to go to the temple, we do not know. What we do know is that he was obedient to the voice and guidance of GOD and received a blessing and unspeakable joy. Not only did Simeon see the promised Messiah but he held HIM in his arms, WOW!!! We can only imagine the joy and fulfillment that Simeon must have experienced.

Some may ask, how can this be since the coming of the Holy Spirit was not until after the crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, ascension of JESUS to indwell people on the day of Pentecost and since?

What was the difference between the activity of the Holy Spirit before and after the passion of JESUS?

The Holy Spirit was present before the world was created and is the third person of the Trinity – GOD, The FATHER, GOD, The SON and GOD, The Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit did not indwell the human body until after the resurrection and ascension of JESUS into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right-hand of GOD. After the resurrection, ascension of JESUS, the human body, for all who would receive JESUS as their Savior, would become cleansed by the shed Blood of JESUS. The shed blood of JESUS makes ready the human body or purifies it to receive the Holy Spirit. Thus, the human body is made pure for it to become the temple where the Holy Spirit can dwell within all Spirit-born people, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

¹⁹ Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. So, glorify God with your body.^[a]

At the moment of conversion, the shed blood of JESUS sanctifies the human body of a person to receive the Holy Spirit.

As you may recall 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” ²¹ He (GOD) made the one who did not know sin (JESUS) to be sin^[e] for us, so that in him we (Spirit-born Christians) might become the righteousness of God.

As Spirit-born people, we are commissioned by GOD to represent JESUS and the Kingdom of GOD upon earth. Why don’t we? Many of us allow our humanness to get in the way. Lack of faith. Yet, residing within every Spirit-born person dwells the greatest power in the Heavens, JESUS. Rejoice and be glad and live accordingly. All a Spirit-born person needs is faith in JESUS, the size of a mustard seed.

The parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law. Simeon a righteous and devout man was looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him.  The Holy Spirit was “On him” not in him. We who have asked JESUS into our hearts, believing that JESUS gave HIS sinless life for our redemption from sin, instantly receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, permanently.

We read in 1 Samuel 10:10:

¹⁰ When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully on him, and he prophesied along with them.

We read in Numbers 24:2:

² When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him, 

We read in 1 Samuel 16:13:

¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on David from that day forward.

Simeon knew the presence of the LORD and so do all who have received JESUS as their Savior. And Glory be to JESUS! For all who have received JESUS as their Savior also have received the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit confirms the fact that we belong to JESUS.

The Apostle Paul in Romans 8:16 states:

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, ¹⁷ and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

If Simeon had not responded when the Holy Spirit urged him to go to the temple, at that specific moment, he would have missed the blessing he had prayed for.

When the Holy Spirit prompts us to act or say something, do it because HE knows that we have exactly what is needed for a situation or a person.

Let’s read Luke 2:27b-32:

When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸ Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said,

WOW!!! Just imagine holding GOD/JESUS in your arms.

²⁹ Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.
³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation.
³¹ You have prepared it
in the presence of all peoples—
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles^[m]
and glory to your people Israel.

Simeon referred to GOD as Master, thus implying that he was GOD’S slave. Some speculate that Simeon may have been a priest. Luke reveals that Simeon was righteous and devout.

Simeon knew Who he was holding in his arms. GOD had told him that he would live to see that special day when the promised Messiah would come into the world for both Gentiles and Jews. JESUS would be the Light and Glory to all people.

Mary and Joseph were bringing JESUS to the temple for a specific reason as stated above - “When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law.” They would bring JESUS to the temple when HE was eight days old to be circumcised. Then again thirty-three days after that, Mary was required to return to the temple when her days of purification were complete. (Leviticus 12:2-4)

Because JESUS was their first-born son, the law required them to dedicate HIM to the LORD and pay the required redemption price. (Exodus 34:19-20 and Numbers 3:40-48.)

Do you think that Simeon got him some neck sugar? That is the best sugar one can get from a baby.

The Holy Spirit motivated and guided Simeon to be at the right place at the right time and that is what GOD does when we are obedient to HIM.

Let’s read Luke 2:33-35:

³³ His father and mother^[n] were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed^[o]— ³⁵ and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts^[p] of many hearts may be revealed.”

Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about JESUS.

Then Simeon “blessed them” and had a special message from GOD to Mary and Joseph. The fact that Simeon “blessed them” to some Bible scholars think that Simeon was a priest. But the point, Simeon was a righteous and devout man, means he was obedient to GOD.

In 1 Peter 2:9 we read ⁹ But you are a chosen race,^[a][b] a royal priesthood,^[c] a holy nation,^[d] a people for his possession,^[e] so that you may proclaim the praises^[f][g] of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

As Spirit-born people we are chosen to be a “royal priesthood.” The Holy Spirit is within each of us who have experienced the miracle of Spiritual birth and JESUS calls us to minister for HIM. HE has equipped us with Spiritual gifts to minister. So why don’t we minister? We leave it up to those called to minister and fail to see that we, who know the truth, are also called to minister. We miss the blessing of seeing GOD at work through us.

Let’s read Luke 2:36-38:

Anna’s Testimony

³⁶ There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,^[q] 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years.^[r] She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. ³⁸ At that very moment,^[s] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.^[t]

This scripture was not in our lesson but I had to add one more verification that the Holy Spirit does not discriminate between male and female. Anna was a God-fearing lady. She was up in age. She was 91 years old plus ever how old she was when she married. But that is not the point.

The point is, she loved GOD and was looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. She was prompted by GOD, ³⁸ At that very moment,^[s] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.^[t]

Timing is vital when serving our LORD. Timing can mean life or death, success or failure, and so much more.

Ask the LORD to so order your steps that your timing will precisely be according to HIS plan and purpose for you, male or female Spirit-born person.

Blessings!!!