The LORD has been pleased to send HIS SON into the world as HIS PROPHET, PRIEST, and KING. The writer of Hebrews (which is likely the apostle Paul) began the book by saying that GOD spoke in times past through different means and various prophets but has in "these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Heb 1:2) There are no other prophets to come, no more spokesmen for GOD. JESUS CHRIST has once and for all declared and manifested the righteousness of the LORD in the earth. We wait for no other nor do we heed the voice of any who claim to have another revelation. We care not for any message which is not the one which HE has already delivered as HE spoke to HIS disciples saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
Mormonism and Islam have been much in the news lately. Both religions outright deny what I have stated above since both rely on another "prophet" for their foundation. It does not matter what "good" may be done by these religions nor how moral the people who follow them are. Any message which is less than CHRIST is not enough and any message which is more than CHRIST is too much. The truth is CHRIST alone, HE is the TRUTH. While many are duped by the messages of Islam and Mormonism, even greater numbers are duped by the common charade which is played out on a much grander scale, called "modern christianity." Someone has said that the closer something is to the real thing the more dangerous the counterfeit is. Such is what we see around us on every side. This is at no time demonstrated more clearly than this time of the year when multitudes consider themselves to be Christians (i.e.; followers of CHRIST, see Acts 11:26) because they have some regard to a specific day wherein they supposedly celebrate the birth of CHRIST.
While we are not much interested in either, fighting for or against the holiday (I leave that to those who are well versed in Pagan practices and the winter solstice) known as "Christmas" we are quite certain that the scripture nowhere instructs us to remember HIS birth. So, any such celebration begins outside of revealed truth. Now there is certainly nothing wrong with considering the fact that HE was born of a virgin approximately 2,000 years ago in the little town of Bethlehem. Such is an absolute fact. Nor is there anything sinister in being reminded that HE caused a heavenly host to appear to some shepherds on a Judean hillside, to tell them that the MESSIAH had been born that very night. Neither do we find any darkness in recounting how HE revealed the same to some wise men in a far country who journeyed many miles to see HIM bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Yet while we are nowhere instructed to remember HIS birth, HE did however, pointedly instruct us to remember HIS death until HE comes again. Surely, HE could not have been the SAVIOR of men had HE not been born exactly according to HIS own predestined purpose. Yet it is not HIS birth which is at the center of the gospel, but HIS suffering and death as a sin substitute (offering). It is this fact coupled with the proclamation from HIS own lips that HE is ONE with HIS FATHER that is a stumbling block for the men of this world. Many can (supposedly) rejoice in HIS birth that otherwise balk and rebel against HIS absolute LORDSHIP and sovereign control of all things. They can fawn over "little baby jesus" so helpless and vulnerable, but raise fists of rebellion against HIM who shows mercy to whom HE will show mercy and hardens whom HE will. (see Rom.9) So it has become necessary to create a counterfeit Christianity which centers itself in the freewill of men that presents CHRIST as a savior who has done all that HE could to save men but has left the rest all up to them. Multitudes have "accepted" this powerless savior who can only hope that they "allow" him to be the lord of their lives. It is not difficult to get men to worship the gods of their own making and this is demonstrated quite clearly in what is called "modern christianity" which has no basis in fact, much less in the declaration of the gospel delivered by the ONE TRUE PROPHET sent from GOD, JESUS CHRIST the RIGHTEOUS.
How shall we escape destruction if we disregard the SALVATION which is declared by JESUS CHRIST himself and those whom HE has taught the same. This is a great salvation because it is:
Designed and dispensed by a Great GOD. That salvation which is delivered to us is no cooperative effort between GOD and men. HE alone has determined to save HIS elect before they ever drew breath. "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward (i.e.;bribes)." (Deut. 10:17) HE is in no way influenced by men in the dispensing of it but bestows it according to HIS sovereign purpose. HE will be magnified in the ages to come by the display of those whom HE has appointed to receive this great salvation.
Delivered by a Great SAVIOR. "He shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he shall deliver them." (Isa 19:20) None other but the LORD JESUS CHRIST could have purchased the redemption of guilty sinners. HE was born of a virgin, untainted by the sin which has passed by imputation to all of Adam's race, therefore HE was a LAMB without spot or blemish, the FIRSTBORN among many brethren. HE trod the winepress of GOD's wrath alone and none stood with HIM nor did any come to HIS aid but HIS own hand wrought salvation for those whom HE determined to deliver. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb 2:14-15) HE is indeed mighty to save. (see Isa.63:1)
Built upon Great and Precious Promises. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." (2Pe 1:4) This salvation which HE has provided is a complete salvation. HE did not just procure for us a ticket to heaven when we die but HE has applied HIS SPIRIT to us and given us the mind of CHRIST. We are no longer captives to the dominion of sin; that which HE has promised HE has secured. All of our comfort is found in HIM and built upon the promises of HIM who cannot lie. "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Heb 6:15-20) HE said, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. (John 14:2)
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