1 Cor. 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Month: November 2024

The Name “Christ”

The word “Christ” is not to be used as a cuss word. In fact, it is extremely offensive to born again believers when they hear the Lord’s name used in cursing! This name for Jesus is the very definition of what His mission was/is. Have you wondered why it is the most used cuss word today? The devil has managed to make it a curse word in order to deceive the world. The more it can be cursed, the less people will be saved by this beautiful Name!!!

The word Christ appears 571 times in 532 verses in the King James Bible. The word Christ in Hebrew is defined “Messiah.” Strong’s Concordance gives us the Greek word Christ. Both words mean the same as see here:

מָשִׁיחַ
mâshı̂yach
maw-shee’-akh
From H4886; anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically the Messiah: – anointed, Messiah.

Χριστός
Christos
khris-tos’
From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: – Christ.

Luk 9:20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

For a Jew to admit that Jesus is their long awaited Messiah meant eventual death! One only needs to read the history of the Apostles to learn how all of them were killed for peaching Jesus as the Christ, except for John. The Apostle John was boiled in oil but he did not die. Instead, he was sent to the island of Patmos which was the place for criminals and political prisoners, located off the coast of Greece (southwest of Ephesus). Therefore, it was no small matter for these Jews to preach the Gospel of the Messiah/Christ because they knew they would pay the price of preaching with their lives! A person would scarcely die for a lie!

We have to ask ourselves if we would do the same if we knew that we would have to die in order to preach about salvation through Jesus Christ. (John 3:16, John 3:3, John 3:7, Ephesians 2:8-9) There is coming a time where this will happen again; in fact, it’s happening today. Christians all over the world are being persecuted and killed for their faith in the Christ of God.

The seven-year Tribulation period will be worse than any persecution ever, including the time of Nero and that of Hitler. We have lived a relatively easy life in the United States when it comes to practicing our faith in Jesus the Christ. But this peaceful life is dwindling. Today’s persecution of street preachers can be viewed on various social media platforms. We see how they are verbally attacked, some physically, while others are put in jail for simply praying quietly outside an abortion clinic. This is nothing compared to what is yet to come.

Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

So why is the word “Christ” so hated? It is hated because we all need a Messiah, not just the Jews! The world does not want to admit they are sinners in need of saving. Our Saviour, THE one and only Messiah, was a Jew. God Himself knew that mankind could not save himself from eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire. The Father’s love is so great that He became man so He could experience what every human being experiences. How did He do this? His Spirit came on Mary, a Jew, and she became pregnant. The chromosome of God was combined with Mary’s and the Messiah was formed (God in human flesh). Praise the Lord for the Jewish faith because through the Jews, we were also given salvation.

Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

It takes faith to believe in this Messiah. Some hear that message through social media, some through a pastor’s message, and some through reading the Bible. No matter which media form is used, faith is needed to believe! (Romans 10:17) Belief in Christ sounds like mumbo jumbo to those who are not seeking. I know this because this was my story. I knew OF Christ but I was not seeking to know Him because I didn’t think I needed saving.

Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

There is great power in the name of Jesus Christ! It is this name that every human being that ever lived will bow down to eventually, whether you believe in Him or not.

(Isaiah 45:23)  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

(Romans 14:11)  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

(Philippians 2:10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

The time is coming, friend! It is sooner than you think. We see the signs of the fast approaching end times all around us today. In years gone by, these signs occurred slowly, one at a time. But now, they are all converging and it is easy to see that we are nearing that horrible period in time.

(Mat 24:33)  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

All these things are coming together and will lead to the introduction of the Antichrist when he signs a peace treaty with Israel. He will usher in the seven-year Great Tribulation period at this event.

We cannot be certain that we will experience persecution today. We were forbidden to go to church when the pandemic hit, so we must not be surprised that the church will be chased underground in the future, should the Rapture of the Church be delayed. But one thing is for certain, the Rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation period. (Revelation 3:10) This same Christ, will come get His Bride (the Church) and keep her safe with Him in Heaven until the end of the seven year Tribulation. But this is a whole other study, amen?

Let’s preach Jesus the Christ as Peter did and be bold while we yet have time! If you’re remotely interested in learning more about the Christ, please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Consolation of Israel

Luk 2:25-32 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, (28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, (29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: (30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, (31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; (32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

There is no other “faith/religion” on this earth that began with such fervor and still goes on today! Over 2,000 years ago, the world was introduced to Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. What religion is there when first instituted, that its disciples willingly died for preaching the message? None! Anyone who accepted this faith in Christ received a new heart: a heart without sin because Jesus paid the penalty for that sin. The new believer has been given a new slate, wiped clean by the sacrificial blood of the Messiah. This same Messiah gives peace to all who believe on His Name and they no longer have to wonder where they will spend eternity. Is it any wonder that Jesus’ Apostles and disciples died for this belief?

Jesus Christ desires to teach us about Himself through the living word, the Bible. That is why Jesus is also called the Word of God. He is God’s spoken words to a lost world. This is not the only name describing Christ. One of the names given to you today is the unique name: the Consolation of Israel! Why was this name chosen to describe the Lord Jesus? Let’s find out!

The Jews had suffered persecution and never achieved total peace, even to this day. Today is proof that Israel is not dwelling in peace, both physically and spiritually. They are still awaiting their Messiah. They missed Jesus Christ’s first coming altogether. However, when Christ comes at the end of the Tribulation, all eyes will see Him and will realize just who He is.

In today’s passage, we see that the Holy Spirit revealed something to Simeon. However, Simeon’s words bring such solace to the heart of man if only man chooses to understand. I absolutely love the word “consolation” in verse 25. Noah Webster has a wonderful definition for it:

Comfort; alleviation of misery, or distress of mind; refreshment of mind or spirits; a comparative degree of happiness in distress or misfortune, springing from any circumstance that abates the evil, or supports and strengthens the mind, as hope, joy, courage and the like.

Jesus is not only the Consolation of Israel but of all mankind! Notice Simeon’s words in Luke 2:30-32. Simeon reveals that he has finally seen God’s salvation (also referenced in Luke 2:26). He goes on to say that this same salvation was for all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel. The Jews had been awaiting for their conquering Messiah for hundreds of years. Now Jesus was here to bring them comfort, to alleviate their misery, distress of mind, and refreshment of their mind and spirit! This was quite different from their expectations of a conquering Messiah! The Jews were looking for a reigning King, not a suffering Messiah. That reigning King will come at the end of the Tribulation period, known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. (Jeremiah 30:7)

But for right now, that suffering Messiah conquered death and rose again! Until His return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:16), Jesus provides this beautiful consolation! Have you received that consolation? Do you have that peace and assurance that you will spend eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ? If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Christ, the Victor

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7 

Chariots and horses were the tanks and fighter jets of David’s day. Battles were won because of chariots and horses. But in that same statement, David goes on to say that he would remember the name of the LORD our God. David recognized where his help came from. 

[A Song of degrees.] I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psa 121:1)

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. (Psa 121:2)

Do we really know where our help comes from? Do we realize just Who we are serving? Our King will not lose! The battle is not ours, my friend. The battle is His. 

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands. (1 Sam. 17:47

The Book of Revelation shows us Christ is the Victor in the end! He will have the final victory over the enemy! I found it interesting that the phrase “every knee” appears only three times in the Word. Each time, the reference is to Christ!

I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Isa 45:23)

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom 14:11)

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Phi 2:10)

We will all bow our knee to the King of kings and Lord of lords! Our battles on this earth will all be behind us! Jesus Christ, the King, will have won not only the battles but He will have won the war against Satan! Ole slew foot’s time is almost over! He is fighting his battles with all fervency trying to defeat the Christian. Are you going to allow the devil to win in your battle? If you do, you will be ashamed when you stand before Christ and give account for your little faith. Why not have victory instead so your tears will be tears of joy and not of shame and sorrow?!

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