Bible Readings by Mia Z. ~ Matthew, NLT, Chapter 3

Mia immerses herself in the New Testament, delving into the Gospel of Matthew, specifically Chapter 3, as translated in the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible. Within this chapter, she discovers a profound lesson: God, in His divine wisdom, dispatches a messenger named John the Baptist, akin to the prophets of the Old Testament, to pave the way for the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus, who brings forth a new covenant. However, this time, God’s envoy emphasizes the importance of repentance (the changing of one’s mind) and baptism for all individuals. Through baptism, one's spirit is revitalized, as our current spirit is surrounded by sin and disconnected from God and Jesus. The Holy Spirit, like a special agent, is bestowed upon those who embrace baptism, enabling them to comprehend and embrace the Word of God as the ultimate truth, avoiding the folly of mythological gods. Moreover, the Holy Spirit leaves an indelible mark upon one’s spirit, serving as a testament to their unwavering belief in the Messiah, Jesus. Whether in life or death, believers will ascend to the heavens during the divine event known as the rapture, where they will be transported to the Kingdom of Heaven. This mark of the Holy Spirit acts as a beacon, guiding God’s angels to identify and gather those destined for the Kingdom of Heaven during this extraordinary occurrence of the rapture.