Christians have a form of “Night Goggles” powered by Faith in God
Christians have a form of “night vision” goggles. We have the Holy Spirit to lead us through all the dark and unknown places. Our faith activates these goggles. When we chose to trust God, He releases the answers to us. I remember hearing Corrie Ten Boom at a camp years ago. One thing she said has stuck with me all through these years.
She was worried about whether or not she could face persecution and stay faithful to Jesus. Her father, a very wise man in the things of God, asked her when he gave her the ticket for boarding a train. She thought a moment and answered him that he gave them to her at the time of boarding. He replied back that was the way God did us in times of trial. He gives us the “ticket” to go through it at the time of need, not before.
We can trust Jesus through the days ahead with joy and peace, knowing He sees ahead and has already made a way through it for us…1 Corinthians 10:12
Do you want freedom and joy in your life? Call upon Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior, who will forgive you of all your sins and set you free from the devil’s trap.
Ask Him into your heart today. Then you will know freedom from all of your past. You will receive fullness of life in Jesus. Ask Him to give you the Holy Spirit to help guide you.
John 3:16-18New International Version
16 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.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 14:26The Passion Translation
26 But when the Father sends the Spirit of Holiness, the One like me who sets you free,he will teach you all things in my name. And he will inspire you to remember every word that I’ve told you.
John 16:24The Passion Translation
24 Until now you’ve not been bold enough to ask the Father for a single thing in my name,but now you can ask, and keep on asking him! And you can be sure that you’ll receive what you ask for, and your joy will have no limits!
A heavy fog first descended on Jerusalem, not a storm that blew in but, that fell straight down as if covering up an army of unearthly invaders. The darkness was almost like swimming at night. Torches were lit until the wind and rain came and put them out. It was the lightning that lit the way. Continuous lightning, that flashed from cloud to cloud and tree to tree, one striking before the deafening rumble of the last had diminished. The soldiers were slowed but no less determined to push the poor men up the hill and onto their crosses. They had become possessed by the purpose, the fervor, the undiluted concentration of the intention of Satan to achieve what he had planned and worked for these thousands of years. Yeshua of Nazareth was being crucified.
It was all going exactly as planned. The Sanhedrin had played their role perfectly, Pilot had protested but relinquished his authority to the noise of the people, Herod had bowed to the mob rule as well and the fate of physical dimension was falling into Lucifer’s blood-soaked hands.
This Yeshua also called Jesus, had worried him at times. He had won the hearts of many people but His ambition to be king had never dominated Him. Now Lucifer was thinking this had been key to His downfall. It was almost done. A few more hours of anxious anticipation and the long wait will be over. Then it happened. Jesus of Nazareth was dead. Before Joseph of Arimathea could claim the body, the demons had already shackled the weary soul of Jesus and dragged Him off-planet.
In the darkness, they waited. Outside the glow of Earth’s blue glory, for the Courts of Heaven to begin the session. The demons were the most massive and powerful that Hell had to offer, ugly, smelly, without conscience or moral value, yet full of anxiety. This is Jesus, the supposed Messiah, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who had so willingly laid Himself down at their brutal feet. They spoke nothing, being afraid that this Son of God would burst into His glory and destroy them, but it did not happen. By the time the court opened for business, at three a. m. Jerusalem time, they had begun to feel confident that they had control of this would-be-Messiah but what would Father Jehovah do to them when they brought His Son before Him in chains.
As they walked through the entrance, everyone was silent. All of Heaven had come to witness this solemn event. Great beasts stood with their wings down. There was no beautiful music or unbearable light, only quiet respect for the accused. Father Jehovah took His seat with the usual acknowledgment yet respectfully and under-jubilantly stated. A great angel approached the Judge’s Bench and said, “Today we have only one case on the docket. Lucifer versus Yeshua. Father Jehovah looks at His son, still battered and bleeding from the crucifixion and tears flow down His face. Then He looks at Lucifer and says, “make your case.”
Lucifer, who had already taken his seat at the prosecution’s table stands, like a pompous Caesar, struts out before the bench. He skips past addressing the Judge and gets straight to his accusation. He claims that Yeshua (Hebrew) Jesus (English) had taken all the sins of the world upon Himself and now must be condemned to Hell for them. He rambles on and on, swelling with pride and victorious boldness. He waves his arms in overexaggerated gestures. Several times he stopped, expanded his chest, held out his arms, and absorbed the electricity in the space around him until bolts of energy danced out from his body. When he finally rested his case, even the demons were grateful that he had shut up.
Jehovah said, “Son, how do your plea?”
Jesus said, “I am guilty Sir.”
Jehovah said, “You realize that this means that you are guilty of every sin, ever committed on the Earth and that you will be sentenced to the damnation of every person on Earth?”
“Yes Sir.” Said Jesus without expression.
Satan fell from his seat as he wriggled in ecstasy. The Saints and the Angels of Heaven fell to their knees and Father Jehovah rose to His feet. He lifted the heavy gavel and dropped it. He turned His back to the courtroom. He could not look at His Son because God cannot love sin. He said with his back turned, “I love you son and I am proud of what you have done. I am sorry that I cannot help you now.”
At that second Jesus felt a nudge within Him and that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit said, “The gifts of God are without repentance. I am with you. Let’s do this.”
Down through the floor of the courtroom they descended, those demons, Satan, Lucifer, and Jesus. Down through the storm, still raging in the atmosphere, through the sea as the Earth had rotated, they were now over the Devil’s Triangle. Into the deep, into the earth, and down through the crust of the earth to a series of great caverns, hot with sulfuric gas and flowing brimstone.
“This is my home,” yelled Satan, “Where you put me years ago. But! But! But Now! Look at what I have done! You are here also, and I have regained the Earth! Look at you! You have taken it all! I see you, Jesus! I see a child molester! I see a drug addict! I see a murderer! I see a liar and a cheat! I see not only a sinner but the chief of sinners!”
Jesus could feel the heat of Hell, the blood drying in his hair, the wounds on his body, and the stench in his nostrils. He spoke from a battered body but not from a battered spirit. “Satan!” He shouted. “Agent of Lucifer hear me! You have traded your hold on Earth for the Son of Man also known as the Son of God. I have accepted the curse and damnation. I have accepted the law of sin and death solely upon myself. You can no longer claim one soul on the earth. All your accusations must be addressed to me.”
Satan rose in delight, “True, Son of God, but I can still lie to the people and convince them to accept the law of sin and death back upon themselves. I can make them doubt you and curse you! I can control them and convince them to damn themselves despite the sacrifice that you have so bravely made. I do not need to have them forgiven from sin. I can make them commit new sins and contracts for their souls. I can still have the kingdom of Earth that you thought you had won back. Who is the king now? Ha! Ha! Ha!”
“Remember the law, Satan!” Jesus shouted. “The penalty is paid! Now know the full measure of the law! Only the one who has been offended has the right to forgive. I stand offended by you and by the sinners of the Earth. I have the right to forgive. While I have accepted the weight of the law upon my account, I remain innocent of even the least of these offenses and I choose to forgive them all, every sin and every sinner. The sins are delivered to Hell but I have now forgiven all sin, I am no longer guilty but forgiven. I am the Messiah! I command you to bring all the captured souls that you have claimed, those who have died looking forward to me. As Moses led the slaves out of Egypt, I now will lead the faithful out of Hell.” Jesus began to glow as He spoke until all of Hell was alighted. Now standing in His full glory He shouted, “Hell! Open your gates! I have become grace! I have not only taken your keys and have become your key as well as the key to Heaven, life and death are in my hand. Release those who have waited patiently for my coming! I am here and they are leaving!”
As Satan shrieked in horror the hordes of saints that had waited in The Bosom of Abraham, that purgatory, that place of waiting for Messiah, moved out like a tidal wave, cheering and shouting glorious praise as they came. Jesus became surrounded by the saints who picked up the fetters that had fallen from His body and tossed them down into the pit. They rose together, upward, leaving their captivity.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, in Jerusalem, things were quite sad. Even the Sanhedrin felt the wrong that they had done, yet they repented not. The storm had passed, the sky was glowing with the first rays of light and Mary was approaching the tomb. Jesus walked up behind her and greeted her. She was given the honor of first believing and telling the disciples to prepare for the new era of grace. The King of the Jews, now the Personification of Grace, had proven Himself to all that they had ever hoped for.
As Jesus’ soul had left the body the Earth was moved. Now, throughout the day, the souls of the dead who had waited faithfully continued to rise from the chasm that had opened during an earthquake. Moses, Elijah, Elisha, David, and others were now taking time to walk the streets of Jerusalem and bear witness to what great thing Jesus had done. These were some of the things that convinced Rome that Jerusalem had killed a god and deserved to be burned.
As Jesus arrived at Heaven with the millions of saints following, He was met by Father Jehovah who embraced Him with immense gladness and honored Him with a new body. Jesus, however, chose to keep His Earthly appearance, complete with holes in his hands and feet. Father Jehovah proclaimed Him Emanuel, King of King and Lord of Lords, Messiah.
Now, for over two thousand years, Heaven still rejoices. The wonder has not stopped or diminished. As new souls enter, they become a part of that celebration. Soon. Very, very soon the plan will be complete. Earth will be destroyed and rebuilt. The age of grace will end, and eternity begins. Those who choose not to accept the grace will be condemned by their own volition and will be thrown into a place called The Lake of Fire, with the demons, to be forgotten.
For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved John 3:17.
Greatness is never measured by one’s magnitude but by their sacrifice. How great is our God!
2 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no lodging available for them.
The Shepherds and Angels
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire.
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
A King Shall Reign and Prosper and Shall Execute Judgment and Justice in the Earth
Jeremiah 23:5-6 New King James Version
5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called:
1 This is the scroll of the lineage and birth of Jesus, the Anointed One, the son of David and descendant of Abraham.
2 Abraham had a son named Isaac, who had a son named Jacob, who had a son named Judah (he and his brothers became the tribes of Israel).
3 Judah and Tamar had twin sons, Perez and Zerah. Perez had a son named Hezron, who had a son named Ram, 4 who had a son named Amminadab, who had a son named Nashon, 5 who had a son named Salmon, who, along with Rahab, had a son named Boaz. Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed, who was the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse had a son named David, who became the king.
7 Then David and Bathsheba had a son named Solomon, who had a son named Rehoboam, who had a son named Abijah, who had a son named Asa, 8 who had a son named Jehoshaphat, who had a son named Joram, who had a son named Uzziah, 9 who had a son named Jotham, who had a son named Ahaz, who had a son named Hezekiah, 10 who had a son named Manasseh, who had a son named Amos, who had a son named Josiah, 11 who was the father of Jeconiah.
It was during the days of Jeconiah and his brothers that Israel was taken captive and deported to Babylon. 12 About the time of their captivity in Babylon, Jeconiah had a son named Shealtiel, who had a son named Zerubbabel, 13 who had a son named Abiud, who had a son named Eliakim, 14 who had a son named Azor, who had a son named Zadok, who had a son named Achim, who had a son named Eliud, 15 who had a son named Eleazar, who had a son named Matthan, who had a son named Jacob, 16 who was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus, who is called “the Anointed One.”
17 So from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the Babylonian captivity, fourteen generations, and from the Babylonian captivity to Christ, fourteen generations.
An Angel Comes to Joseph
18 This was how Jesus, God’s Anointed One, was born.
His mother, Mary, had promised Joseph to be his wife, but while she was still a virgin she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Her fiancé, Joseph, was a righteous man full of integrity and he didn’t want to disgrace her, but when he learned of her pregnancy he secretly planned to break the engagement. 20 While he was still debating with himself about what to do, he fell asleep and had a supernatural dream. An angel from the Lord appeared to him in clear light and said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t hesitate to take Mary into your home as your wife, because the power of the Holy Spirit has conceived a child in her womb. 21 She will give birth to a son and you are to name him ‘Savior,’ for he is destined to give his life to save his people from their sins.”
22 This happened so that what the Lord spoke through his prophet would come true:
23 Listen! A virgin will be pregnant, she will give birth to a Son, and he will be known as “Emmanuel,” which means in Hebrew, “God became one of us.”
24 When Joseph awoke from his dream, he did all that the angel of the Lord instructed him to do. He took Mary to be his wife, 25 but they refrained from having sex until she gave birth to her son, whom they named “Jesus.”
2 1–2 During those days, the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered that the first census be taken throughout his empire. (Quirinius was the governor of Syria at that time.) 3 Everyone had to travel to his or her hometown to complete the mandatory census. 4–5 So Joseph and his fiancé, Mary, left Nazareth, a village in Galilee, and journeyed to their hometown in Judea, to the village of Bethlehem, King David’s ancient home. They were required to register there, since they were both direct descendants of David. Mary was pregnant and nearly ready to give birth.
6–7 When they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary went into labor, and there she gave birth to her firstborn son. After wrapping the newborn baby in strips of cloth, they laid him in a feeding trough since there was no available space in any upper room in the village.
An Angelic Encounter
8 That night, in a field near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! 10 But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! 11 For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. 12 You will recognize him by this miracle sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough!”
13 Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing:
14 “Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”
15 When the choir of angels disappeared back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go! Let’s hurry and find this Word that is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us.” 16 So they ran into the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough.
17 Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherds recounted what had just happened. 18 Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was astonished by what they were told.
19 But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant.
20 The shepherds returned to their flock, ecstatic over what had happened. They praised God and glorified him for all they had heard and seen for themselves, just like the angel had said.
Baby Jesus Dedicated in the Temple
21 On the day of the baby’s circumcision ceremony, eight days after his birth, his parents gave him the name Jesus, the name prophesied by the angel before he was born. 22 After Mary’s days of purification had ended, it was time for her to come to the temple with a sacrifice, according to the law of Moses after the birth of a son. So Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to be dedicated before the Lord. 23 For it is required in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be a set-apart one for God.” 24 And, to offer a prescribed sacrifice, “either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 As they came to the temple to fulfill this requirement, an elderly man was there waiting—a resident of Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He was a very good man, a lover of God who kept himself pure, and the Spirit of holiness rested upon him. Simeon believed in the imminent appearing of the one called “The Refreshing of Israel.” 26 For the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he saw the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. 27 For this reason the Holy Spirit had moved him to be in the temple court at the very moment Jesus’ parents entered to fulfill the requirement of the sacrifice.
28 Simeon cradled the baby in his arms and praised God and prophesied, saying:
29–31 “Lord and Master, I am your loving servant,
and now I can die content,
for your promise to me has been fulfilled.
With my own eyes I have seen your Word,
the Savior you sent into the world.
32 He will be glory for your people Israel,
and the Revelation Light for all people everywhere!”
33 Mary and Joseph stood there, awestruck over what was being said about their baby.
Simeon then blessed them and prophesied over Mary, saying:
34–35 “A painful sword will one day pierce your inner being,
for your child will be rejected by many in Israel.
And the destiny of your child is this:
he will be laid down as a miracle sign
for the downfall and resurrection of many in Israel.
Many will oppose this sign, but it will expose to all
the innermost thoughts of their hearts before God.”
36–37 A prophetess named Anna was also in the temple court that day. She was from the Jewish tribe of Asher and the daughter of Phanuel. Anna was an aged widow who had been married only seven years before her husband passed away. After he died she chose to worship God in the temple continually. For the past eighty-four years, she had been serving God with night-and-day prayer and fasting.
38 While Simeon was prophesying over Mary and Joseph and the baby, Anna walked up to them and burst forth with a great chorus of praise to God for the child. And from that day forward she told everyone in Jerusalem who was waiting for their redemption that the anticipated Messiah had come!
39 When Mary and Joseph had completed everything required of them by the law of Moses, they took Jesus and returned to their home in Nazareth in Galilee. 40 The child grew more powerful in grace, for he was being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.
I am writing for you, mighty lover of God, an orderly account of what Jesus, the Anointed One, accomplished and fulfilled among us. Several eyewitness biographies have already been written, using as their source material the good news preached among us by his early disciples, who became loving servants of the Living Expression. But now I am passing on to you this accurate compilation of my own meticulous investigation based on numerous eyewitness interviews and thorough research of the story of his life. It is appropriate for me to write this, for he also appeared to me so that I would reassure you beyond any shadow of a doubt the reliability of all you have been taught of him.
Angelic Prophecy of the Prophet John’s Birth
5 During the reign of King Herod the Great over Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah who served in the temple as part of the priestly order of Abijah. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from a family of priests, being a direct descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both lovers of God, living virtuously and following the commandments of the Lord fully. 7 But they were childless since Elizabeth was barren, and now they both were quite old.
8–9 One day, while Zechariah’s priestly order was on duty and he was serving as priest, it happened by the casting of lots (according to the custom of the priesthood) that the honor fell upon Zechariah to enter into the Holy Place and burn incense before the Lord. 10 A large crowd of worshipers had gathered to pray outside the temple at the hour when incense was being offered. 11 All at once an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing just to the right of the altar of incense.
12 Zechariah was startled and overwhelmed with fear. 13 But the angel reassured him, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God is showing grace to you. For I have come to tell you that your prayer for a child has been answered. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son and you are to name him John. 14 His birth will bring you much joy and gladness. Many will rejoice because of him. 15 He will be one of the great ones in the sight of God. He will drink no wine or strong drink, but he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even while still in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will persuade many in Israel to convert and turn back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before the Lord as a forerunner, with the same power and anointing as Elijah the prophet. He will be instrumental in turning the hearts of the fathers in tenderness back to their children and the hearts of the disobedient back to the wisdom of their righteous fathers. And he will prepare a united people who are ready for the Lord’s appearing.”
18 Zechariah asked the angel, “How do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is too old to give me a child. What sign can you give me to prove this will happen?”
19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel. I stand beside God himself. He has sent me to announce to you this good news. 20 But now, since you did not believe my words, you will be stricken silent and unable to speak until the day my words have been fulfilled at their appointed time and a child is born to you. That will be your sign!”
21 Meanwhile, the crowds outside kept expecting him to come out. They were amazed over Zechariah’s delay, wondering what could have happened inside the sanctuary. 22 When he finally did come out, he tried to talk, but he couldn’t speak a word, and they realized from his gestures that he had seen a vision while in the Holy Place. 23 He remained mute as he finished his days of priestly ministry in the temple and then went back to his own home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for the next five months. 25 She said with joy, “See how kind it is of God to gaze upon me and take away the disgrace of my barrenness!”
Angelic Prophecy of Jesus’ Birth
26–27 During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent from God’s presence to an unmarried girl named Mary, living in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. She was engaged to a man named Joseph, a true descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Grace to you, young woman, for the Lord is with you and so you are anointed with great favor.”
29 Mary was deeply troubled over the words of the angel and bewildered over what this may mean for her. 30 But the angel reassured her, saying, “Do not yield to your fear, Mary, for the Lord has found delight in you and has chosen to surprise you with a wonderful gift. 31 You will become pregnant with a baby boy, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be supreme and will be known as the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will enthrone him as King on his ancestor David’s throne. 33 He will reign as King of Israel forever, and his reign will have no limit.”
34 Mary said, “But how could this happen? I am still a virgin!”
35 Gabriel answered, “The Spirit of Holiness will fall upon you and almighty God will spread his shadow of power over you in a cloud of glory! This is why the child born to you will be holy,[ and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your aged aunt, Elizabeth, has also become pregnant with a son. The ‘barren one’ is now in her sixth month. 37 Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God!”
38 Then Mary responded, saying, “This is amazing! I will be a mother for the Lord! As his servant, I accept whatever he has for me. May everything you have told me come to pass.” And the angel left her.
Elizabeth’s Prophecy to Mary
39 Afterward, Mary arose and hurried off to the hill country of Judea, to the village where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived. 40 Arriving at their home, Mary entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the moment she heard Mary’s voice, the baby within Elizabeth’s womb jumped and kicked. And suddenly, Elizabeth was filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit! 42 With a loud voice she prophesied with power:
“Mary! You are a woman given the highest favor and privilege above all others. For your child is destined to bring God great delight. 43 How did I deserve such a remarkable honor to have the mother of my Lordcome and visit me? 44 The moment you came in the door and greeted me, my baby danced inside me with ecstatic joy! 45 Great favor is upon you, for you have believed every word spoken to you from the Lord.”
Mary’s Prophetic Song
46 And Mary sang this song: “My soul is ecstatic, overflowing with praises to God! 47 My spirit bursts with joy over my life-giving God! 48 For he set his tender gaze upon me, his lowly servant girl. And from here on, everyone will know that I have been favored and blessed. 49 The Mighty One has worked a mighty miracle for me; holy is his name! 50 Mercy kisses all his godly lovers, from one generation to the next. 51 Mighty power flows from him to scatter all those who walk in pride. 52 Powerful princes he tears from their thrones and he lifts up the lowly to take their place. 53 Those who hunger for him will always be filled, but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty. 54 Because he can never forget to show mercy, he has helped his chosen servant, Israel, 55 Keeping his promises to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
56 Before going home, Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months.
