Jesus vs Religion
Jesus vs Religion
By Dennis Huebshman
Jesus had the most issues with the “Religious Leaders” of His time. He just didn’t fit their expectations as to what their Messiah would look like, and what He would do when He actually arrived. They were the “Religious Authority” after all, and only one step away from the Creator. They were looking for a majestic being that would arrive; put down all their enemies; and then “honor” them for all their faithful pious ways. They expected Him to immediately set up His kingdom here, and they would all be rulers with Him in His temple.
Isaiah 53 gives an account of what they should have been looking for, and realize His first appearance was not to “Rule and Reign”, but to provide the perfect sacrifice for all to have a pathway to salvation.
Starting in Verse 2, “For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him; and no beauty that we should desire Him”. Verse 3, “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces. He was despised and we esteemed Him not.” Going to verse 5, “But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes, we are healed” They could not believe the “Messiah” would appear in this humble way. (emphasis mine)
These leaders had access to all the ancient scrolls of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and the rest, yet they were ignorant as to prophecy that was being fulfilled right before them. If they would have taken Daniel 9:24-27 seriously, and made the proper calculations; they would have realized the Messiah was due to arrive in their day.
They would have realized, as given in Zechariah 9:9, the “Triumphal Entry” of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem was a major sign of prophecy fulfilled. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having Salvation is He; humbled and mounted on a Donkey, on a Colt, the foal of a Donkey.” They saw this happen, yet did not accept it.
Things have not changed much in the almost 2000 years that have passed. Jesus is still being rejected as people would rather believe satan’s lies than what is actually happening in front of them.
“Religious” people believe that because they belong to a church, even so-called evangelical churches, they automatically have a home in Heaven. Many believe Jesus was a good prophet, but the Son of God? That’s just a bit far-fetched. John 14:6 just does not compute.
This is modern day, after all, and we now believe there’s “many” ways to Heaven. Besides, we are “good” and attend church every time the doors are open, so we’ve “earned” our spot in paradise. As for Hell, God would not really send anyone there forever. If there is any discipline, it would be temporary until we “served the proper time” for our sins, and then we would be pardoned to live for eternity in Heaven. Just ask any of the “new-age” pastors if this is not so, and they will assure you it is. They get their responses directly from satan.
Main problem with this is covered in 1 John 2:18-23 which speaks of false prophets and antichrists. They have been around even during the time that Jesus was on earth, and their deception is guided by that prince of darkness, himself. He’s a master of deceit, and without the Holy Spirit to help us, we would all be lost.
Religion never impressed our Savior. What He asked was, and still applies, for us to accept Him and become a part of his Flock. He’s the Good Shepherd who laid down His life so that we could be freed from the chains of sin. (John 10) We cannot purchase, earn or be “good enough” to ever gain Salvation on our own. Only Jesus is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6) and the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. (Acts 4:12) The most impressive fact is, He wants a true relationship with each and every one of us that will call out for Him to be our Savior.
As mentioned, the “Triumphant Entry” was a major sign in Jesus’ day. We also have had a major sign fulfilled in our lifetime that started the “end-time clock” counting down to the end of this age. May 14, 1948 was prophesied even as far back as Genesis 12:7 where the Lord appeared to Abram and “gave the land to his offspring.” Deuteronomy 30:3-5 talks about the people that were “scattered”, being brought back to their land. Almost every Old Testament prophet references the Jews returning. There was somewhat a regathering after the Babylonian captivity, but nothing like what has taken place since May 14, 1948. After AD70 destruction of Jerusalem, there was not a productive land called Israel until the 1948 date.
Since their rebirth, Israel has become a very prosperous nation with natural resources; increased scientific knowledge; a strong military; a land that was completely barren, but now has been turned to an agricultural mecca. All this was prophesied, and most important the promise they will never be removed again. Amos 9:14-15, “I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel; and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine; and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. (15) I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the Land that I have given them, says the Lord Your God.
As I have stated in the past, any “I Will” statement from the Father is a solid covenant that He will not break. People may cause themselves to receive His discipline, but the covenant still stands.
When Jesus spoke of all the signs before His next coming, He stated that the generation that saw them would not pass until they see all of them fulfilled. The “things” fulfilled are seen as being the Rapture, the Abomination of Desolation given by the Prophet Daniel and repeated by Jesus, the antichrist reign (Tribulation), and Jesus returning at the end of the Wrath. We just do not know the length of this generation, but signs spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are well underway. The attitudes given to Timothy by Paul in 2 Timothy 3 are here and getting more negative almost daily.
Paul’s 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 would be the next major event that is to take place. We are not given the exact day or hour, but it is obvious this world is rapidly heading for the Rapture. There are the scoffers mentioned in 2 Peter 3:3-4, but it is also obvious the Father is using as much patience as possible for everyone to have a chance to repent and to be saved. As with all the other major events in the Bible, the day will come when He will say, “Enough” and our Savior will come and take His Church (all believers) home.
For those who have received the free gift that has been provided by the Savior, that will be the end of all our sorrows, pain and suffering that this earth has thrown at us. (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-13)
For those who will have rejected Jesus, they will enter a most miserable time, the likes of it never having been here before. Their eternity will be even more miserable. (Revelation 20:11-15)
Therefore, it’s your choice. A relationship with the Savior who is also God (John 10:30), or eternity in torment with the devil and all his demons. There’s no third option, and it is completely your choice to make.
Ahava B’Shem Yeshua – Love in the name of Jesus!