When we see the letter BC, these are used to date the era prior to the birth of Christ. When we see these letters, AD, they are Latin which mean 'in the year of our Lord". (Anno Domini)

There are others who use the letters CE which mean "Common Era". This allows those to avoid any "Christian References" as to dates.

We us the letters BC because it is easier. Let me explain. If we say 250 years BC, it is actually 2,250 years ago. This is because Jesus was here approx. 2000 years ago. It would be extremely difficult to try and keep track of this because next year, it would be 2,251 years ago,. It's much easier to go back prior to Jesus date than to try and keep up with the years after his death.

Now, we have basically explained BC and AD but, what about BY? BY is what I wish to focus on today and bring your attention to some things that we don't often think about.

So, now the question BY.........What does it stand for? BEFORE YOU!!!!!!

By referring to BY, it can be looked at in 2 different ways--historically or personally.
1. Before You--mankind.
2. Before You-- you at present
John Chpt 17: Jesus prayer, vs1-5 speaks of Jesus praying to His Heavenly Father----Jesus says His hour has come, He talks about Eternal Life and about Him be Glorified with the Glory that He had with the Father, "before the world was". In Genesis Chpt. 1 vs 26, God said "Let us make man in our own image". God was talking to the other 2 members of the Triune Godhead. The Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. He wasn't talking to the angels because angels never created anything. In John Chpt 1. Christ is the creator. read it.

Let's now look at some things "Before You". (personal and historical)

1. Before You--- Jesus did not know hunger: until His birth here on earth. In Heaven there is no hunger!
2. Before You---Jesus did not know thirst: until His birth here on earth but, he spoke of thirst to a woman at a well in John Chpt. 4 vs 6-24. In Heaven, there is no thirst.
3. Before You---Jesus did not know tiredness: Matt 8 vs-23-24--Jesus was tired and asleep in a boat. In Heaven their is no tiredness. Jesus rested many times in His earthly life here.
4. Before You---Jesus did not know stress: Yet in Luke 22:44--Jesus sweat as if it were great drops of blood! In Heaven, there is no stress!
5. Before You--Jesus did not know personal Sacrifice: Yet He laid down His life for mankind. In Heaven, there is no sacrifices given.
6. Before You---Jesus did not know pain. In Heaven there is no pain yet Jesus was arrested, denied, and forsaken in Matt. 17;17-31, John 18-12 and 19:1
7. Jesus did not know temptation:---No temptation in Heaven yet Jesus was tempted by Satan in Matt. 4:1-11.
8. Before You--Jesus did not know sadness---yet He wept over Jerusalem in Matt. 23-37 and at Lazarus tomb in John 11:35.
9. Before You---Jesus did not cruelty of man: In Heaven, there is no cruelty. Yet he was beaten, whipped, mocked, and spit on.John 19:1-3
10. Before You--Jesus did not know separation from His heavenly Father. Yet He cried out to His Heavenly Father and said, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me" in Mark 15:34
11. Before You--Jesus did not know death--there is no death in Heaven: Yet He died on Calvary's cross in John 19: 30
12. Before You--Jesus did not know about a grave: In Heaven, there are no graves: Yet he arose from the grave, placed the grave clothes in one place and, the napkin in a separate place, folded by itself. John 20:7

You see folks, Jesus had never experienced any of these things in Heaven, before He came man and dwelt among us. Why did He become a man? He became a man that by the sacrifice of Himself for man, He could redeem man from his lostness and hopelessness and by His sacrificial death, He could provide atonement for sinful man and purchase mankind, eternal life through Himself.

This is what Jesus gave up in Heaven, what he accepted on earth and what He provided for you and I as individuals and as mankind. Oh what a Saviour we have. Look what He did for us by coming here to earth.
Should we not love Him, Honor Him and Praise Him for His unconditional love, mercy and grace for man?

May God Bless this message.

Oldbiker