The term “God is dead” began
its popularity in 1882 in a book called The Gay Science by Friedrich Nietzsche.
On the cover of Time magazine, April 8, 1966 edition, the question was asked,
“Is God Dead?”
Modern day Joseph Atwill
states in his book, Caesar’s Messiah, that Jesus was made up by the Romans,
specifically Titus Ceasar, to appease the rebellious Jews of that day. With the
assistance of the historian Josephus, his plan was put into action. That’s his
story anyway. I’m sticking to mine.
I’ve noticed this week that
the History Channel is coming up with yet another special that will debunk the
accuracy of the Bible, at least that’s what they say. Will I be watching it? You
betcha. When pigs fly.
Maybe you haven’t noticed it
lately, but we are in a spiritual war. Actually we have been for some time, but
the fierceness of Satan’s attacks is increasing as his days grow short.
The Apostle Paul warned, “For
we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
The Apostle Peter warned, “Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” 1 Peter 5:8
Jesus is not only real, He is
God and He is alive today just waiting for the Father to say, “Now is the time.
Go.” Consider the following verses before we go on.
“Jesus said to him, “Have I
been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen
me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:9 (ESV)
“I and my Father are one.”
John 10:30
“For there are three that
bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these
three are one.” 1 John 5:7 (NKJV)
“In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1
“As soon then as he had said
unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” John 18:6
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and
he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me
unto you.” Exodus 3:14
“Then said they all, Art thou
then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said,
What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.”
Luke 22:70-71
The elders, chief priests and
scribes had no problem understanding that Jesus was claiming to be God. Just as
He told Moses to call Him “I AM,” He was telling the chief council that He is
the “I AM.”
We could get angry at those
who make every attempt to defame the precious name of our Lord God, but maybe
we should let Jesus deal with that. Our greatest emotion should be concern for
these misguided, satanically inspired lost souls. Their doom is settled unless
they call out for forgiveness to the very one they now hate and mock, Jesus,
who came to us as God in the flesh.
I do believe that time is
running out for this earth. In Luke 19:28-35 Jesus sent two of his disciples to
obtain use of a colt for Him to ride into Jerusalem. Beginning in verse
thirty-six we read what followed.
“And as he went, they spread
their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of
the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples 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. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said
unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I
tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately
cry out.”
The common people were
exalting Jesus as the Messiah that had come as prophesied, but the religious
crowd wanted nothing of it. Just like today, the religious (not Christian but
religious) mock the coming Messiah. Then, as today, many of the so-called
common people recognize that the Messiah is coming, except this time it won’t
be on a colt, it will be on a white stallion. In that day, as today, many lost
souls of the world want nothing to do with this Jewish Messiah named Jesus.
The religious leaders of that
day wanted Jesus to quiet the crowds, but notice again what Jesus said. “…I
tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately
cry out.” Now I’m speculating, but think about this. Is it possible that nature
today is crying out because the Messiah is on His way?
One of the many signs of
Christ’s return is the turbulence of nature prior to His return. This sign,
along with others, will increase in frequency and severity. Is this not what is
happening with nature today? Is it possible that since so few are acknowledging
that Jesus will soon return, and most just laugh it off, that the stones are
crying out?
Whether through floods,
hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, viruses, sicknesses, volcanoes, animalistic
anomalies, etc. is nature trying to tell us something? I ask again, while we
ignore the reality that the King is coming, are the stones crying out to get
our attention?
Is Jesus real? I know He is,
because His Spirit lives within me. I know He is real when I look at His
creation. I know He is real when I read His Word and experience its Truth. I
know He is real when I witness His works in the lives of people. Jesus is real
and He is coming back.
There is more historical
proof that Jesus existed than Julius Caesar and many other historical figures.
So that isn’t a problem, unless one just ignores the facts. Is He God and is He
alive in Heaven today, preparing a place for His own and soon to return? The
Scriptures, which is His Word, attest all this to be true. Now it comes down to
faith.
Consider one other thought.
Would the disciples, who later became apostles, have given their lives for a
lie? All they would have had to do at any time was to say He was a good man but
not God, and they would have not been tortured and they would not have been put
to death, in some very gruesome ways I might add.
Peter was crucified upside
down.
Andrew was crucified on an
“X” shaped cross.James was killed with a sword.
John died of natural causes, but allegedly put in boiling oil.
Philip was crucified.
Bartholomew was beaten and crucified.
Thomas was killed with a spear.
Matthew was axed to death with a halberd.
James (son of Alphaeus) was clubbed to death.
Thaddaeus was crucified.
Simon Zelotes was crucified.
Matthias was stoned and beheaded.
(also) Stephen was stoned to death.
(also) Paul was beheaded.
Foxes book of Martyrs speaks
of many who died some of the most horrible deaths one could imagine rather than
denounce Jesus. Thousands today, in our time, suffer beyond description rather
than deny Jesus.
Why is this, especially for
those who have never physically seen Him as did the Apostles and others? The
answer is obvious. Jesus is real. He is alive and the tomb is empty. He is in
Heaven now preparing a place for His own, and will at any time return. Not only
that, praise God, He lives within each and every one of those who are His by His
most Holy Spirit. The 3rd person of the Godhead (Holy Spirit) lives
within us, confirming the reality of the 2nd person of the Godhead
(Jesus Christ) bestowing praise on the first person of the Godhead (God the
Father).
Jesus is the real thing. He
is God, and He will return at any time.
Don’t grow weary of waiting.
Work for the day is coming. He has plenty for each of us to do.
Don’t allow negativity from
others to bring you down, for it matters not what man says.
Don’t fear what man can do,
or even Satan. Man is weak and Satan is on a leash. Fear God.
“And fear not them which kill
the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able
to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
Fear God, “And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
I look forward to our Lord’s
return as much as anyone else, but I also understand that while we wait, we
must be busy telling others about Him and that His return is nigh.
If you are a Christian, Jesus
is alive and lives within you by His Holy Spirit. Share Him.
If you are not a Christian,
He wants to save you, and there is no time like the present, because time is
running out.
Jesus is real, and maybe
sooner than we all think, the entire world will behold Him. Unfortunately for
many, this is how it will transpire.
“And I beheld when he had
opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun
became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars
of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs,
when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when
it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their
places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and
the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man,
hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the
mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth
on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath
is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Revelation 6:12-17
Grant Phillips
Email: grantphillips@windstream.net Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
