Category: Jesus Christ

Time Travel and the Mystery #3

Friday, November 14, 2014

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7,8 KJV).

Will it ever be possible to manipulate natural laws, to travel back in time and manipulate events, that things (hopefully) turn out differently? Let us consider today’s Scripture.

The Prophets Isaiah (14:12-15) and Ezekiel (28:11-19), when describing Israel’s future re-gathering and restoration into God’s earthly kingdom, recapitulate Satan’s policy of evil and its ultimate failure. Isaiah noted Lucifer had sought to “be like the most High, possessor of heaven and earth” (Isaiah 14:14; cf. Genesis 14:19,22).

When Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” Colossians 1:16 explains: “For by [the Lord Jesus Christ] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Heaven and Earth were designed with offices of government to run their operations to Jesus Christ’s glory. We see only Earth’s offices, but the same terminology is used for those in Heaven. Lucifer wanted to take over Heaven and Earth, have their governments glorify him and advance his will. God told Lucifer, “Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thy traffick;…” (Ezekiel 28:18). Satan recruited many angels to rebel in Heaven with him; hence, God cast him to Earth (Luke 10:18).

Satan then attacked and recruited to his side newly-formed Adam and Eve, God’s king and queen over Earth (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 3:1-24). Having now captured offices in Heaven and Earth, Satan relentlessly disrupted God’s efforts to restore Earth to Himself. Satan used Cain to murder righteous Abel, evil spirits to bring about a Global Flood and the destruction of most of mankind, false prophets to mislead God’s people Israel, having them finally kill Messiah Jesus. The Devil became so focused on Earth because God kept His plan for restoring Heaven, a secret. As today’s Scripture says, Satan eventually learned Messiah’s death was his deathblow instead….

Time Travel and the Mystery #2

Thursday, November 13, 2014

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7,8 KJV).

Will it ever be possible to manipulate natural laws, to travel back in time and manipulate events, that things (hopefully) turn out differently? Let us consider today’s Scripture.

Satan has always recognized God as the most powerful; however, he, operating with a very demented mindset, still seeks to outwit his Creator and prove himself to be the wisest. Ever since he became “lifted up,” prideful (1 Timothy 3:6), ever since he fell in love with himself (Ezekiel 28:15-19), Lucifer/Satan has sought so desperately to deflect and receive the recognition and worship that only belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:8-10 and Luke 4:5-8 thus explained).

The Bible says Lucifer, Satan’s name before his fall from the third heaven, purposed to “be like the most High, possessor of heaven and earth” (Isaiah 14:14; cf. Genesis 14:19,22). Down through Bible history, and up to the present-day, Satan has contrived and implemented various “wiles,” schemes and scams, to achieve his original goal (Ephesians 6:10-12). The Devil still distracts people from Jesus Christ, and causes them to focus on something or someone else (himself, themselves, other people, pagan idols, good works, et cetera).

No human can ever really keep a secret—he or she has to tell at least one other person, and eventually, it is common knowledge to many. However, God had to keep, and did keep, a secret for at least 4,000 years; the triune God withheld that secret, neither telling angel nor human until the appropriate time came. He knew that His chief enemy, Satan, was a very wise spirit-creature (originally created to devise ways to glorify his Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, now devising ways to glorify himself). The way to ultimately defeat Satan was to outsmart him. Today’s Scripture says God Almighty did exactly that, glorifying Jesus Christ forever in the process, undoubtedly demonstrating who was the wisest of all….

Time Travel and the Mystery #1

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7,8 KJV).

Will it ever be possible to manipulate natural laws, to travel back in time and manipulate events, that things (hopefully) turn out differently? Let us consider today’s Scripture.

As Bible students, we understand that Satan is the wisest of all of God’s creatures: “full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty” (Ezekiel 28:12). The LORD said of Satan, “Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee” (verse 3). The Devil has existed for at least 6,000 years; he has witnessed all of human history and learned more than all of us will ever know. Satan thinks on a much higher plane than we.

For many decades now, cosmologists, physicists, astronomers, and other scientists have been pondering and researching the possibility of time travel. What exists in “science fiction” today is seen as plausible in the future. Still, we must face the truth of today’s Scripture—not even Satan himself is wise enough to reverse history.

If time travel were possible, Satan would have already figured it out, done it, and reversed the events of Calvary. While we regret our mistakes, the one most disturbed by the past is none other than Satan himself. Satan will always be angry with God. If he could ever undo one mistake, he would go back in time and he would never have crucified the Lord of glory. At Calvary, the Devil reveled in the notion that he had won the victory. The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, was dead, and Israel, God’s nation, was guilty—what else could God do but utterly damn Israel, completely destroy His plans for her, and ultimately discard His original purpose for creation?

Satan did not know it, neither did the angels nor mankind, but God was keeping a most glorious secret….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does ‘at the last trump’ mean in 1 Corinthians 15:52?”

The Greatest Veteran

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15 KJV).

Today is Veterans’ Day in the United States, so let us especially thank the “Greatest Veteran of All Time.”

We thank veterans, living and departed, the often-forgotten men and women who risked their lives to secure our freedom. Just as we remember flesh-and-blood veterans who fought for our physical liberty, we reserve our worship and utmost respect for the least esteemed Veteran, He who secured our spiritual liberty.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Through Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary, we have eternal victory over sin, death, hell, and Satan. Everything that God has planned for us is dependent upon Christ’s victory at Calvary.

Jesus Christ nailed the Mosaic Law to His cross (today’s Scripture). His sinless blood covered our failure to obey God’s laws; Jesus’ righteousness annulled our unrighteousness (sin). Christ not only liberated us from sin and its penalty (the everlasting lake of fire), but today’s Scripture affirms He also triumphed over Satan himself!

Christ has “spoiled [destroyed] principalities and powers [Satan’s power], he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it [His cross].” Jesus Christ destroyed Satan’s plans. Through Christ’s cross, God has “delivered us from the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13), Satan’s evil system of Ephesians 2:1-3.

During a recent cemetery visit, I noticed American flags flying above deceased veterans’ headstones. These individuals can no longer hear or regard our thanks, but Jesus Christ’s body is not decaying in some tomb. If there ever was a Veteran most worthy of our gratitude, it is our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He died in battle, allowing Himself to be executed on a Roman cross of shame and scorn, He resurrected. He is alive and well today, alive forevermore!

Saints, eternity will ring with our thanks to the Veteran worth thanking, the Lord Jesus Christ. 🙂

*Adapted from our 2010 Bible study, “The Greatest Hero.” The Bible study video can be viewed here.

Slain and Crucified?

Friday, November 7, 2014

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree” (Acts 5:30 KJV).

Why did the Apostles suggest Israel killed Messiah Jesus before they crucified Him?

When reading, the diligent Bible student will ask questions. Questions prompt a deeper and more involved reading. Today’s Scripture has unusual language, but it conveys a precious truth. The Scriptures say that Jesus died on the cross (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30), so why did the Holy Ghost through the Apostles indicate that Israel killed Jesus and then crucified Him (today’s Scripture)? Moses provided clues, some 1,500 years earlier.

Deuteronomy 21:18-23 says, “[18] If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: [19] Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city… [20] And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice;…. [21] And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear. [22] And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: [23] His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.”

Israel’s method of execution was stoning, but because she involved the Roman government, Jesus was put to death by crucifixion on a Roman cross. Just as a rebellious son was to be stoned and then hanged on a tree, Israel treated Jesus as a rebellious son, a heretic and imposter, and hung Him on a tree (Galatians 3:13). Simply put, in their minds, they had “killed” Him long before they hung Him on Calvary.

For the Good of the People

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Psalm 45:6,7 KJV).

Never forget that it is only in the Lord Jesus Christ that we find political salvation.

Dear friends, the word “politician” has become increasingly unpopular here in the United States. Many who claim to seek “our best interests” are incompetent, unwilling and/or unable to address the numerous issues still facing our beloved nation. Yes, here, and in nations worldwide, paperwork, political privileges, and partisanship often come before people. The mainstream media does not report valuable stories that inform the public, just “feel-good fluff” accounts that warn the heart and waste the mind. Satan’s agenda is simple: suppress the truth and spread error. The religious, economic, educational, political, and social systems are all “arms” of Satan’s evil world system. But, praise God, those “arms” will be broken one day!

The writer of Hebrews (1:8,9) quoted today’s Scripture to describe when Father God elects Jesus Christ as Earth’s King. Jeremiah 23:5,6 confirms: “[5] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. [6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And, Psalm 89:14, “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.”

God instituted national governments in Genesis chapter 9 to maintain order and He established country borders in chapter 10, but Satan is usurping those power structures. A corrupt government is not isolated to this country; every nation has Satan as its “god” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Thankfully, this is not as good as it will ever get. The day is coming when Jesus Christ will reign as “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). He will remove Satan, uphold God’s Word, and execute true justice, forevermore reigning truly for the good of His people! “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Wayward or Wise

Monday, November 3, 2014

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15 KJV).

Today’s Scripture says we can be wayward, or we can be wise—one or the other is everyone before God’s eyes.

Sin is being our own authority, our operating independently of how God designed us to function. For 6,000 years now, the God of the Bible has tolerated our species, the sinful human race. Despite our technological advances that have made life easier, we are still so perplexed as to how to solve our basic problem, sin, that makes life harder.

For three years, the Lord Jesus Christ labored so fervently, so diligently, to turn around the nation He had delivered from Egyptian bondage 1,500 years earlier. He preached, and confirmed with miracles, that He was their long-promised Messiah—willing to evict their Gentile enemies and introduce Israel’s earthly kingdom. Yet, Israel largely disregarded Him. Precious few Jews, those who wisely hearkened to that divine counsel, trusted Him as Christ.

Chiefly, Israel’s works-religion—their striving to be accepted of God—was “right in [their] own eyes.” They refused to hear about their sin; they rejected the counsel Jesus Christ was providing through His sermons and miraculous demonstrations. The Lord Jesus spoke to unbelieving Jews in John 5:39,40: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” Contrary to “irresistible grace,” one of the tenets of Calvinism, God never forces Himself on anyone who rejects Him. He gives them over to what they prefer. Jesus continued, “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive” (verse 43). They did not want Jesus as Christ, so God will one day give Israel a false Messiah, the satanic Antichrist, one who will deceive them and they will gladly have him!

May we wisely come to Jesus Christ as He is presented in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon. Otherwise, we are just as wayward as Israel was in time past.

Battle Scars and Bible Skeptics

Saturday, November 1, 2014

“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27 KJV).

Today’s Scripture says that, in the body of His flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ bore the scars of the greatest battle ever faced.

“Doubting Thomas” is a famous Bible character, but the passage that features this apostolic skeptic involves a fascinating concept often overlooked. Contrary to the nonsensical notion that Jesus arose in some invisible, spirit form, He Himself declared that He had a physical body that Thomas could touch with his physical hands. In another post-resurrection passage, Jesus said, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39). We are confident that the Lord knew more about His own body than present-day conjecturers in theology.

Today’s Scripture is Jesus’ reply to Thomas’ comments in verse 26: “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But [Thomas] said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

As physical proof that it was the Lord Jesus Himself, He ordered Thomas to feel the nail scars in His hands and the spear wound in His side. Yes, it was the same body that had died on the cross three days earlier, and the exact body that laid lifeless in the tomb for three days and three nights. There was no question that Jesus Christ and His message were true—His literal, bodily resurrection confirmed everything (Romans 1:4). What else could His enemies do to Him? They had already killed Him, and now He was alive! What else could Thomas do but believe? Jesus was physically standing just steps away from him!

The Lord Jesus Christ chose to retain those battle scars, probably forever. Evidently, He still has them today, to one day be seen by us, those who already believe! What a concept!

Stones Whose Praises Would Rock Creation

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

“And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out” (Luke 19:40 KJV).

Why did our Lord Jesus Christ utter such a strange statement?

It was less than a week before He would die on Calvary’s cross, and He had entered Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt, a perfect fulfillment of a Messianic passage: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zechariah 9:9).

Believers in Jesus, those who recognized Him as the fulfillment of hundreds of specific Old Testament prophecies of Messiah, “began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest” (Luke 19:37,38). The Bible says, “And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples” (verse 39). Today’s Scripture was Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees.

Geologically speaking, rocks are inorganic; they are composed of non-living minerals. Yet, the Creator Himself, Jesus Christ, said that they had the ability to “cry out.” Some may say that the notion of non-living objects “crying out” is preposterous, and the Bible unbeliever is free to feel that way. We may, however, point out that it was outlandish that most Jews—creatures with brains and souls—turned a blind eye to the hundreds of prophecies Jesus fulfilled, specific indications He was their long-promised Messiah, the Son of God.

The Holy Spirit through the Prophet Zechariah urged Israel to rejoice and shout when her Messiah came forth on the donkey, and yet here some Jews discouraged the exhibition of such joy! Had no person praised Jesus on that day of the so-called “Triumphal Entry,” surely other aspects of creation would have honored their Creator. The sounds of their praise would have “rocked creation” indeed! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Could you please clarify Ephesians 2:18-22?”

In Him and Not in Hell

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9 KJV).

Before we can have a right standing before God, we must realize our wrong standing before God.

A dear lady I shared the Gospel with not many weeks ago told me, “I think I will go to heaven. Now if I commit some horrible sin just before I die, then I will go to purgatory.” Like so many, she needed to realize that the ultimate sin is to believe we can live a perfect life to make God so happy with us that He will have no choice but to let us into heaven, that we can supplement and/or substitute Jesus Christ’s life and righteousness with our own, that we call God a liar by saying our sin nature can still offer so much as one work that is pleasing in His sight, that Jesus Christ failed to do what we must do.

When I asked this lady on the basis of what five minutes her life would be totally acceptable to God, what five minutes of her living were 100 percent perfect and made her worthy of heaven, she confessed she had no such five minutes; that is when she realized that that failure is sin, that her lack of assurance was a sign she was headed to anywhere but heaven!

I began to share with her the wonderful news of God’s righteousness in Jesus Christ received by simple faith in Him alone (today’s Scripture). God is offering us a place in heaven as a free gift and we cannot work for a gift (otherwise it becomes a debt). If we so much as believe we can work enough to add to Jesus’s perfect sacrifice, then we are telling God we want to pay for our own sins; the place where God’s wrath against our sin is appeased, is the lake of fire, and it burns forever because God’s wrath against our sin can and will never be appeased apart from Jesus Christ’s suffering at Calvary. Let us be found in Him, and not found in hell!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Why did God ask where Adam was?”