Category: Satan and Policy of Evil

Excruciating Thursday

Thursday, March 24, 2016

[Reader discretion advised: Christ’s sufferings are graphically described below.]

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9 KJV).

His three years of earthly ministry have expired, but His greatest work is yet to come!

During the all-night interrogation in the “kangaroo court,” His sentence is passed—execution by crucifixion. They have scourged, beaten, and punched Him. Covered in their spit, they laugh at Him, and strike His head with a rod to force on the crown of thorns. His back shredded, His skull possibly fractured, His beard ripped off. His massive blood loss weakens Him further. Having been stripped of His clothing, He struggles to carry His heavy cross to Mount Calvary: Simon must carry His cross for Him. The crowds watch Him, laughing and jeering. His little flock looks on in total shock.

They lay Him on the wooden cross, yanking His limbs to nail them in place. His bones unbroken, but exposed, and His limbs dislocated. They pierce His hands and feet with long spikes, severing the median nerve in the hands, causing permanent hand paralysis. They raise up that cross, and He hangs, slowly suffocating due to His own weight. Every breath becomes increasingly difficult, His lungs fill with fluid, His heart becomes progressively strained. Eventually, He cannot breathe, and thus dies.

Now imagine His spiritual suffering. Three hours into His crucifixion, His heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost have abandoned Him. For the first time ever, He is totally alone. Physical and spiritual darkness now cover the earth. The weight of all the world’s sin and sins of all time crushes His soul. God’s undiluted wrath falls upon Him, as it does on those suffering in hellfire. He cries out in agony. Hanging on that cruel cross, with His spiritual eyes, He observes Satan himself and all his evil creatures snickering and cheering. He looks out to see His disciples staring at His helpless disfigured body. Oh, if only they knew how His physical and spiritual bodies were being tormented, utterly tortured beyond imagination!

After six hours of excruciating pain, He finally lets Himself die….

Please check out our archived Bible Q&A: “Was Jesus Christ really crucified on Friday?”

The Price of Christ #1

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

“And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:15 KJV).

How much is Jesus Christ worth in the eyes of lost man?

Let us read today’s Scripture within its context: “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him” (Matthew 26:14-16).

“Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me” (Matthew 27:3-10).

The 30 pieces of silver was enough to buy a field; it was an enormous sum of money. The King James Bible does not specify what types of coins the priests paid Judas, but the “30 pieces of silver” is estimated to be the equivalent of three or four months’ wages. According to the Mosaic Law, the price of a slave was “thirty shekels of silver” (Exodus 21:32). In the eyes of lost mankind, the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ, was worth nothing more than a slave!

Our archived Bible Q&A: “Are Christians obligated to observe Passover?”

Two Sons and Two Fathers

Monday, March 21, 2016

“And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:” (Luke 23:18 KJV).

One son will be liberated to live, and the other Son will be sentenced to die!

At the time of Christ’s trial, Barabbas is a prisoner (Matthew 27:16). Barabbas is a murderer, a robber, and guilty of “insurrection,” or rebelling against the government (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:18,19; John 18:40).

It is Passover. Roman governor Pontius Pilate has a custom that, at the feast, he releases a prisoner, whomever the people desire (Matthew 27:15; Mark 15:6). “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified” (Matthew 27:20-22).

Israel’s chief priests, rulers, and common people all demand Christ’s crucifixion and Barabbas’ release, so Pilate gives the sentence (Luke 23:23-25). Guilty Barabbas is set free to live, and innocent Jesus Christ is condemned to be crucified. While Barabbas’ involvement in the matter seems insignificant upon first glance, God included it in His written Word because to provide us with an amazing illustration!

“Barabbas” means “son of the father.” Barabbas is a criminal, and he represents sinful, rebellious mankind who is worthy of death. He is bound by sin, and faces eternal death. Spiritually, sinful mankind is the son of Satan—man is of his father the devil (John 8:44). Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, God, “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21), but took upon Himself our sins and was punished in our place.

Innocent Jesus Christ took the place of guilty Barabbas, which actually represented Christ taking the place of the whole world, suffering God’s wrath on our behalf! “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust…” (1 Peter 3:18). Thus, through Christ’s finished crosswork, we sinful sons of Adam (and Satan) can be freed from sin, and we can become the righteous sons of God.

Our archived Bible Q&A: “Is ‘Easter’ a mistranslation in the King James Bible in Acts 12:4?”

The “Triumphal” Entry

Sunday, March 20, 2016

“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass” (Matthew 21:4,5 KJV).

Do you ever wonder why Jesus Christ rode on a donkey the Sunday before His crucifixion?

In today’s Scripture (cf. Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:28-40; John 12:12-19), Jesus’s crucifixion on Calvary’s cross is just five days away. Leaving Bethany, He travels to Jerusalem (a mile to the northwest). Israel’s believing remnant in Jerusalem is excited to hear that Messiah is returning to “the city of the great King” (Psalm 48:2; Matthew 5:35); in anticipation, the great multitude throws their garments and palm branches on the ground. As Jesus enters the city, they cry out, “Hosanna [“O save!”]: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9,10; Luke 19:38; John 12:13; cf. Psalm 118:26).

While often called the “Triumphal Entry,” there really was no victory being celebrated in today’s Scripture—the victory was to come later! What we need to realize is that Jesus Christ was humble (“meek”) here: as a King riding on a donkey into Israel’s capital city, He demonstrated He desired peace with Israel (a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9). He had not come to destroy her, though He would have been just in doing so; He had come to save her from her sins, her enemies, and her satanic bondage (Matthew 1:21; Mark 2:17; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 1:68-75; Luke 9:55,56; Luke 19:9,10; Acts 3:24-26; et cetera).

Just a few days later, Jesus Christ appeared weak and defeated. He never fought back as the Roman soldiers mercilessly abused Him; He allowed Himself to be crucified on Calvary. It was His meek and lowly coming; now was not the time to pour out His wrath. He resurrected and ascended into heaven as a royal exile. Revelation 19:11 says Jesus Christ will return to Jerusalem on a white horse, a sign of war and wrath (Zechariah 14:1-4)—that will be His true triumphal entry, for He will conquer Satan’s world system forever!

Bible Q&A#245: “What is meant by, ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself?’”

A World(-Class) Leader

Saturday, March 19, 2016

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:” (Isaiah 11:1 KJV).

Behold, a righteous King from Jesse’s stem will spring!

As you know, it is Election Year here in the United States. Citizens are “angry” at the current state of affairs. They want change. Every country has “furious” people who, because of the damage inflicted by “politicians,” want drastic reformations in their governments. Consequently, the word has very negative connotations. People think of “waste, fraud, and abuse”—individuals who say just what citizens want to hear so they can be elected into office, but who then collect paychecks for doing nothing for the constituents they claim to be represent and serve.

Our English word “politician” is related to the Greek politikos “civic,” equivalent to polit (es) “citizen.” A politician should seek the best interests of citizens rather than himself. Unfortunately, this is not always true. Despite all the disappointments associated with politicians, the Bible says that there is one Leader who will, in due time, make the office of “politician” a title of wisdom, righteousness, respect, and honor. Never once will He disappoint!

Isaiah chapter 11 prophesies Jesus Christ’s glorious reign on Earth: “[1] And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: [2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; [3] And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: [4] But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. [5] And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”

What a day it will be, for all the world to see—the first ever, righteous Politician! 🙂

Religious, Not Reliable

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5 KJV).

They may be “religious”—but that does not make them reliable!

Recently, I listened to an old recording of the testimony of a former church leader of the largest cult in Christendom. While that denomination claims to be “the church founded by Jesus Christ,” this brother demonstrated how it was anything but. How thankful he was to have been saved out of that devilish church! He went home to be with the Lord in heaven just a few years ago.

While this man was training to be a priest in seminary some 40 years ago, he explained how his professors told him he could not trust the Holy Bible. How surprised he was to hear, “The Old Testament is nothing but fiction, stories with no literal historical basis and none of its characters actual flesh-and-blood people.” Concerning the New Testament, he was told that this too was largely “unreliable.” Why? The apostles were always “on the run to save their lives” and they “hurriedly wrote as best, making mistakes throughout.” The book of the Revelation was totally untrustworthy, they told him. Why? The Apostle John, after being thrown in boiling oil and surviving, was then exiled to the isle of Patmos, where he worked in the salt mines extracting salt by hand. With his hands inflamed, and his skin calloused and sore with burns, he took pain medication. All drugged up and “high,” he penned the last book in our Bible canon!

Saints, indeed, the average seminary is a “Bible cemetery”—God’s Word “dies” there, pushed off to the side unless it can be used to teach a particular theological system. I think it safe to say that there are just as many unsaved professors and Bible scoffers/doubters in a university science department as there are in many “Bible colleges.” Not all professors and preachers, of course, but many prefer to be the “final authority”—they like to sit in the driver’s seat and put God’s Word in the back seat! Hearken to today’s Scripture…“from such turn away!”

Captive!

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV).

Satan is desperately trying to keep his captives from hearing God’s truth!

A lady visited my home yesterday to invite my family and me to an upcoming program at her (nearby) church. Knowing her cult, I determined the best way to approach her was to mention the verse on her booklet’s cover. As I suspected, her religious tradition denied the everlasting nature of hell (“annihilationism”). The “wicked” would simply be burned up and become nonexistent, never suffering forever in fire and brimstone as the Bible teaches.

Yes, she was highly trained in her religion, arguing that the Bible verses commonly interpreted as “everlasting torment” were really “representations.” Still, she could not clearly explain what she meant—only that those passages were not literal. She grabbed Bible verses here and there to validate her denomination. I cautioned her that religious groups ignore verse contexts, politely “hinting” that I was aware of her dishonesty (without me ever actually saying “liar, liar”).

She did not know the Gospel by which we are saved today. (Once I gave it to her, she did not accept it). We talked about many Bible topics for about an hour before she, convicted by the Word, had to “hurry home.” She was very knowledgeable of verses to support her theology. But, she was surprised that someone (me) would mention verses she did not understand. Exiting my front door, with me following, she again said, “A loving God could not send people to suffer hell forever.” One final time, I gave the Gospel of Grace. I told her that God loved sinners so much that He did everything He could to prevent them from experiencing eternal judgment. He sent His Son to die for their sins. Rejecting Christ again, she hurried down my driveway to her vehicle.

Saints, let us preach God’s Word, patiently, gently, lovingly. What people do with it is their responsibility. We did ours! 🙂

Seconds from Eternity

Monday, March 14, 2016

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:1,2 KJV).

Friend, today is the day to trust Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary. You may not have tomorrow!

Recently, a certain schoolteacher was driving to work. Suddenly, a 200-pound (90.7-kilogram) iron manhole cover inexplicably flew upward from the roadway. It landed right on top of her car’s windshield—driver’s side! Sadly, her earthly life ended right there, instantly. Just like that, with the snap of a finger, a blink of an eye, it was over! There was no turning back—wherever death found her, eternity still keeps her today. Think of how many factors had to occur just right to take her life. The cover flew off precisely at the moment her vehicle was nearby, it flew exactly the distance to her car, and it precisely hit the windshield on her side (not the back, or the passenger’s side, but the driver’s side). We need to appreciate just how close death really is for any one of us!

Imagine when a lost person dies. Earthly scenes fade to darkness. The overwhelming sensation of falling to Earth’s center… the soul plunging into hellfire… the pain of being burned alive becomes more pronounced… screams and wails all around… memories of rejected Gospel messages flood the mind. Horrible, just horrible. Every soul without Jesus Christ will experience it forever!

A lost person’s heart is very deceitful. He or she will continue to put off salvation, saying, “I have plenty of time to get saved, preacher. Let me enjoy having a good time in sin now. When I am ready, then I will clean up my life and trust Jesus Christ.” They will certainly have a good time, but they just may run out of time to trust Jesus Christ. My what a foolish gamble! They just may lose their eternal soul in literally a “heartbeat.” They think they have years to spare, but they may just have a few seconds. Something to think about!

Not Looking Back But Reaching Forth

Sunday, March 13, 2016

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13,14 KJV).

Do not look back—look forward!

Recently, I spoke with a discouraged Christian brother. Members of his Bible study group were downcast about a certain common problem. They had discovered the truth of God’s Word rightly divided in their “latter years.” Some of these saints are in their late 70s, with failing health and little drive. They expended decades upon decades of energy jumping from one religious group to another, becoming increasingly weighed down with additional confusion. Now, although they have found the truth, have exhausted themselves. I reminded him of some simple Bible truths that I will now share with you.

My grace brethren, we have two options. Firstly, we can sulk and lament how we lost/wasted many years in frantic religious confusion. Or, we can rejoice that we have all of eternity to learn the Word of God with such astounding clarity… Our few years of gross Bible ignorance will mean nothing by then! Keep your mind focused on this. As long as you concentrate on the past, Satan has you sidetracked from preparing for the future!

Today, take some time to read the third chapter of Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. He gives his testimony, how he wasted years in empty works-religion. But, then, in today’s Scripture, he reminds all Christians everywhere to do as he did—continue maturing in the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul he himself—35 years after his conversion—was still “reaching forth” to gain a better grasp of God’s purpose for him in Jesus Christ. We all still have a long way to go, but let us start on earth. Having had a daily intake of God’s Word rightly divided many days now, we are well on our way!

Lastly, you may have taken decades to learn the Word of God rightly divided, but please pass on your knowledge to younger Christians, that they spend more time enjoying God’s truth than searching for it! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did Adam die or did he not die in Genesis 3?”

They Have Seen Nothing!

Saturday, March 12, 2016

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!” (Ezekiel 13:3 KJV).

They have no spiritual eyes—they have seen nothing!

If you are familiar with “Christian” radio and television programming, you have probably heard something like, “The Lord has just given me a word of knowledge for our audience….” Or, “God is speaking to me and He wants five people to send our ministry $1,000 each!” Maybe, “There is someone watching or listening who needs to be healed of foot pain [headaches, arthritis, et cetera]. God is now touching that part of your body and the pain is just melting away.” These words sound so good, so intimate, so appealing. The average listener absorbs them like a sponge. Every last word is believed because “God” is allegedly involved.

I remember once, while talking to a very confused denominational lady, she objected, “But, I do not believe God would allow me to be deceived!” Oh, certainly, God does not want you to be deceived. He gave you His written Word, the 66 books of the Holy Bible. But, if you let “Christian” preachers and “Christian” literature interpret it for you, and you do not look into the Bible for yourself, you deserve to be misled and deceived in whatever cult you join! Friend, be warned—if you ignore His Word, the King James Bible, God will let you be deceived. Just look around at so-called “Christianity!”

Colossians 2:18,19: “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head,….” (Modern versions and their manuscripts omit “not” from “not seen,” thereby saying the false teachers have seen something!)

Many groups and people supposedly speak in the name of “Jesus Christ.” They claim to be preaching His words. But, we can look into the Bible for ourselves and see they are preaching lies. They have no revelation from God. As today’s Scripture says, they are “foolish prophets”—following their own imaginations and fabricating “divine testimony.” They claim to have been given spiritual enlightenment from the God of creation. Today’s Scripture says “they have seen nothing!”