Love Wrote Our Names in Blood: The Gospel from Genesis to Revelation

One-line explainer: In this article, Christ (Greek Christos) means “Anointed One”—the promised Messiah—sent to redeem Israel and the world.¹

John 3:3
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Mark 1:14–15 — Jesus Begins His Ministry
[14] Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, [15] and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

God’s love is not vague sentiment; it is promise kept, wrath satisfied, and sinners welcomed. The Scriptures tell how the Father sent His Son, Immanuel, to bear the holy justice we deserved so that mercy could be ours (see Hebrews 9; Lev 17:11). At the cross, the Messiah’s blood became the crimson ink of heaven’s love letter.

“Behold, the Lamb of God” — Love Revealed

John 1:29–34 — Behold, the Lamb of God
[29] …“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! … [33] … ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ [34] … “this is the Son of God.” (ESV)

The Gospel the Apostles Preached — Love Accomplished

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 — The Resurrection of Christ
[1] Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you… [3] that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, [4] that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day… [6] …He appeared to more than five hundred… [8] …He appeared also to me.

Romans 10:5–13 — The Message of Salvation to All
…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved… [13] “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1 Corinthians 1:18–31
[18] …the word of the cross is the power of God… [23] but we preach Christ crucified… [30] …Christ Jesus… our righteousness and sanctification and redemption…

“True conversion means turning not only from sin but also from depending on self-made righteousness.” — George Whitefield

Why Repentance Matters — Love That Turns Us Home

Acts 17:29–31
…now He commands all people everywhere to repent, [31] because He has fixed a day… by a man whom He has appointed… by raising Him from the dead.

2 Timothy 2:19
“Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

Romans 7:7
“…I would not have known sin except through the law…”

John 16:8–11
“[The Spirit] will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…”

“Conviction is not repentance; conviction leads to repentance.” — Martyn Lloyd-Jones
“The Law can only chase a man to Calvary—no further.” — D. L. Moody

Acts 20:20–21
…repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:9–13
…He is patient… not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance… What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness…

Lloyd-Jones on repentance: “You realize you are a guilty, vile sinner… you turn your back on sin in every shape… deny yourself, take up the cross, and follow Christ—whatever the cost.”

Justified by His Blood — Love That Makes Us New

Romans 3:21–26 — The Righteousness of God Through Faith
…all have sinned… [24] and are justified by His grace as a gift… [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith…

Romans 4:20–25
…“It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord…”

Romans 5:1–11 — Peace with God
[1] …justified by faith… [5] …God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit… [8] God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us… [9] …justified by His blood…

Ephesians 2:1–10 — By Grace Through Faith
…dead in… sins… But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us… by grace you have been saved through faith… created in Christ Jesus for good works…

A.W. Tozer: “Good works don’t save us; they demonstrate we’ve been saved.”

James 2:14–26 — Faith Without Works Is Dead
…“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” …“faith apart from works is dead.”

A Living Sacrifice — Love That Transforms

Romans 12:1–2
Present your bodies a living sacrifice… be transformed by the renewal of your mind…

Matthew 16:13–18, 24–27
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”… “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me… the Son of Man… will repay each person according to what he has done.”

John 3:3, 16–21; 33–36
“Unless one is born again…” …“For God so loved the world…” …“Whoever believes … has eternal life; whoever does not obey… the wrath of God remains on him.”

1 John 2:1–6; 4:7–16
…advocate with the Father… propitiation for our sins… “By this we know… if we keep His commandments.” …“God is love… He sent His only Son… so that we might live through Him.”

Matthew 11:25–30
“Come to me, all who labor… and I will give you rest… my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

H. A. Ironside: We preach a living Christ—able to save to the uttermost (cf. Hebrews 7:25).

Hebrews 7:22–28
…He continues forever… He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near… He offered up Himself once for all.

Light of the World — Love That Sets Us Free

John 8:12, 24–30, 31–36, 58
“I am the Light of the World… If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed… “Before Abraham was, I am.”

Romans 6:23
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Peter 3:18
“Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God…”

Ezekiel 18:20 — “The soul who sins shall die.”

Jeremiah 31:3 — “I have loved you with an everlasting love…”

Romans 9:25–26 — “Not my people” called “my people”… “beloved”.

Zephaniah 3:14–20 — The Lord rejoices over His people with singing.

The Spirit Falls, and the Call Goes Out — Love That Welcomes All

Acts 2:21–24, 29–41
“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” …“Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit… the promise is for you… and for all who are far off…”

Read Genesis 22 and Psalm 22: the Lord provides the Lamb; the Suffering King wins salvation for Jew and Gentile.

1 John 4:13–21 — God’s love perfects us; perfect love casts out fear; “We love because He first loved us.”

Promised in the Prophets — Love Foretold

Isaiah 9:6–7 — A child is born… Mighty God… Prince of Peace; no end to His peace.

Proverbs 30:3–6 — “What is His name, and what is His Son’s name? … Every word of God proves true. Do not add to His words.”

Acts 1:6–11 — The risen Jesus ascends; He will come again.

Psalm 2 — The nations rage; the Anointed is enthroned; kiss the Son.

H. A. Ironside: Our times need Christ-centered, Bible preaching that calls all men everywhere to repent ahead of the coming judgment (cf. Acts 17:30–31).

Isaiah 6:8–10 — “Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 52:13–15; 53 — The Suffering Servant bears our iniquity; by His wounds we are healed.

Zechariah 12:10; 13:1 — They will look on Me whom they have pierced… a fountain opened to cleanse from sin.

Bookends of the Love Letter — From First Promise to Forever

Genesis 3:15 (protoevangelium) — the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent.
Revelation 5:9; 7:14; 12:11 — by His blood He ransomed a people… they washed their robes… they overcame by the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 21:3–5; 22:17 — “Behold, I am making all things new… The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’”

How Should We Respond?

Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 16:30–34; 20:21; 26:20).
Be baptized as a public confession of faith (Acts 2:41; 8:36–38).
Devote yourself to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers (Acts 2:42).
Join a local church that holds Scripture as the final authority—not adding to or taking away from God’s Word (Acts 17:11; Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18–19).
Walk in the Spirit (Romans 8), in holiness and love (1 Thess 4:3; 1 John 4).

Footnote Clarifications

Christ = Messiah: Christos (Gk.) = Anointed One, Israel’s promised King-Redeemer (John 1:41; 4:25–26).
Propitiation: Jesus absorbs God’s righteous wrath in our place (Rom 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10).
Justification: God’s legal declaration of righteous—by grace through faith in Christ (Rom 3–5).
Born again: New birth from above by the Spirit, granting new life and sight (John 3:3–8; Titus 3:5).
Calling on the Lord: Repentant faith expressed to Jesus as Lord (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13).
The blood of Jesus: The once-for-all atoning sacrifice that cleanses and redeems (Heb 9:12–14, 22; Rev 1:5).

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