Reality Check

Reality Check
Dennis Huebshman

In my younger and pre-saved days, any time I heard messages or saw movies about how Jesus suffered and died, and everyone had deserted Him, I said the same thing I’ve heard countless others say, “Not me, I would’ve done something!”. I’ve even heard it more since the Passion movie came out.

I was truly sincere about this as I’m sure many others are as well. Now for the big “However”; after starting to really study God’s word over the past 30 plus years, I’ve come to the conclusion that a Reality Check was in order. It’s easy to “profess” something, but actions are many times different.

Jesus told His disciples they would all desert Him (Matt. 27:31; Mark 14:27 and John 16:32). Of course, they all denied they would do this, but the fulfillment took place just as the Lord said it would (Matt. 27:56; Mark 14:50). Even though Peter followed the crowd at a distance after Jesus was arrested, his denials are given in all 4 gospels (Matt. 26: 69-75; Mark 14: 66-72; Luke 22: 57-60 and John 18: 25-27.) Remember, Peter was the one that seemed to always want to appear bold to a fault, but usually got put down at the end. It took the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to actually give him the courage to stand up for Jesus, even to the point of death.

Scripture tells us Jesus had 4 brothers – James, Judas (Jude); Simon and Joseph (Joses), and at least two sisters, but they are unnamed (Mark 6:3). The brothers did not believe Jesus was Messiah until after His resurrection. (John 7: 3-5). After Pentecost, James became an avid believer and became a leader of the Church in Jerusalem, (Acts 15:13; 21:18) and Judas also believed which is evidenced in the book of Jude. Nothing else is given about the others.

As for the crucifixion, it had to happen the way it did, or prophecy leading up to it would not have been completed, and that would have made ALL of God’s word null and void However, as Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16, “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.”

It had to be a perfect sacrifice by a sin-free, willing and perfect person. That could only be one person who had ever lived to that point and ever since – Jesus (Yeshua) the Christ. Jesus told His disciples in John 10:18 that no one takes His life, He gives it willingly. He knew everything that would take place in advance, yet was still willing to die for an undeserving world.

As a man, I’m sure Jesus did not want to go through the pain and suffering he faced, yet as God, He knew He had to be separated from the Father if only for a brief moment, and that’s what troubled Him the most.

Jesus was, and is a part of the Trinity, and has been forever. He knew the Father could not tolerate ANY sin, so at the point of the sacrifice when all the sins of the world were laid on Him, the Father had to step back, look away, and allow His Son’s blood to cover that was required. Even if He could, Jesus would not have allowed anyone to interfere with what was taking place. After all, He could’ve called, and the Angels would have saved Him.

When He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me!”, He fulfilled the quote from Psalms 22:1 It was at this very moment the Father and Son were separated for the first and only time ever. Every step of the way was mapped out through the ages, and every step was fulfilled as prophesied.

Why is this so important? Simple, so we can be assured everything remaining will be done. Otherwise, any thought about Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, Millennial Kingdom, and eternal life thereafter in Heaven would be false. In the bible, if anyone prophesied and it didn’t come true, they were to be stoned. Every – ALL – prophecies about the Savior to this point today have been completed, and we can be assured what remains will be also.

Here’s where another Reality Check comes in. Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and many others gave us signs as to what would be happening at the end of the age. We’re in the 69th Week of Daniel’s 70 weeks, and the calendar is about to move forward for the final 7 years – the years of wrath and Great Tribulation.

We’re given the remedy as to how to avoid that time by the Savior Himself. John 14:6 says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the father except by me.”

All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13). Therefore, all who don’t are lost, and that’s so unnecessary. No, we don’t know how much longer before the Bridegroom (Jesus) takes up His Bride (Church – all believers), but the clock is steadily ticking. We are definitely in the season spoken of by Jesus, and unlike the religious leaders of that time, we need to be aware of this.

Reality Check: He may not come today, tomorrow, next week or in the months ahead. But then again, He just might! After the church is removed, this earth will go through a time like never before, and those left behind will suffer terribly when they didn’t have to.

You can accept Jesus no matter where you are. You don’t need a preacher, priest or anyone else to have this done for you. Call out to Him yourself. Ask for Him to forgive you. God is faithful and true and will forgive our sins if we confess them to HIM. 1 John 1: 8-10. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and for him to prepare a place for you with Him. That’s it! Only, mean what you say and say what you mean. Follow up by reading the Love Letter given to us by the Father. My recommendation for anyone who has not studied the Bible is to start with the book of John and then go to Romans. This should get and keep you on the right track. Also, talk to the Father (Prayer). He’s listening 24/7. Nothing fancy, just talk.

God Bless you and hope to see you at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:9)

Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus)!