The “Black Friday” sales are usually one of the biggest highlights for millions of people during the Christmas season and I am so glad that they are finally over.I have no problem at all with people trying to save money, but the “Seasons Beatings” and the fistfights that go along with that day gets a little out of hand sometimes. Have you ever wondered what all of this has to do with Jesus Christ the creator of all things, and the Savior of the whole world? I have the answer to that question:
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! This whole idea of Santa Claus, being mixed in with the birth of Jesus Christ has been nothing more than the lie of the devil from the beginning! In shopping malls across the country, the man with the BIG white beard, and the BIG red suit will sit on his BIG throne, as the precious little ones will make their Christmas requests known to him. While Santa is bellowing out his Ho, Ho, Ho, the angels in Heaven are crying out Holy, Holy, Holy, to the one who is seated upon the throne! Satan is the great deceiver of souls, and he does NOT play games. He will do whatever it takes to keep people distracted and totally in LOVE with the things of this WORLD, and he knows that his time is short!
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the DEVIL is come down unto you, having great WRATH, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. (Revelation 12:12)
Satan does NOT want anyone to know about the GIFT of salvation, and the Heaven that awaits those who trust in Jesus Christ.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
Forget all about this stuff about who is “naughty or nice,” the theme of the “Christmas Season” for many people is this: “I want my deal and I want it now, and you better get out of my face!” This is the time of the year when Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords is put back inside the little manger, and Mother Mary gets to cuddle him in her arms for another season. Countless millions have no idea that they are going to stand before Jesus Christ, the great “I AM” one day. They have no idea that Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and the ONE who has the power to cast a person into Hell! I know that because that would have described me perfectly, because I was as lost as could be. I did not know the REAL Jesus Christ of the scriptures, but that all changed AFTER I was born again of the Spirit.(John 3:1-8. 2 Corinthians 5:17)
When the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned many people have a mental image that comes to mind. When the “Holiday Season” and Christ-Mass roll around, many people will see the little manger scenes where the cute little “graven images” of Jesus are laid on top of a pile of straw. To some people, Jesus becomes a little “goo-goo baby” to them. You will also see many Christ-Mass cards with “Mother-Mary” holding a little infant Jesus in her arms. By the way, some of the “visions” of the “Blessed Mother Mary” over the years come in the same way, with a large “Mother Mary” holding a “little baby Jesus” in her arms. What does that tell you? Millions of Roman Catholics have been deceived over the centuries by this demonic hoax, and I was one of them until the Lord opened my spiritual eyes, and SAVED my soul from an eternal Hell!
In some churches the leaders and Pastors will lead their congregations while singing Happy Birthday to Jesus on December 25th each year. Many of those same pastors will rake in millions during this time of year, as they play the usual sentimental crowd pleasing “Christmas songs. “Many large church “Pastors” remind me of Ed Sullivan from the old “Ed Sullivan Show” where Ed hosted the latest acts every Sunday. They know just what the “church” needs to keep them excited from week to week! There are “big-bucks” to be made during the “Christmas” season, and the greed monsters want to make the most of it. “All seats are free”, but make sure you have some cash in your wallets. You will also see the big name television “ministry” preachers put on their “Christmas Season face” as they put on a full court press for donations at this time of year. You will often find them peddling their silly looking, man-made ornaments for big bucks.
“Call in now, our operators are standing by”
“Don’t wait, there are still a few phone lines open, do not miss out on this opportunity”
I am totally convinced that many, if not most, of the modern day television “ministers” would be nowhere to be found if their money tree were to suddenly stop filling their bank accounts. Most people would probably be amazed if they knew the amount of money these “ministries” took in each year, along with the salaries, expense accounts and multiple homes that go along with it. The modern day “Jesus” of the name it, and claim it, preachers is a huge business these days. Many well known television preachers would put the fattest, of the “fat cats” in the “world system” to shame with their dealings and manipulation of the people. Oh God have mercy! The people of the “world” have taken great advantage of this “Christmas season.”
As I said above, there will be long lines at stores throughout the country, with people flying, leaping, diving and trampling on each other, to get the best “Black-Friday” super deals. What does all of this have to do with Jesus Christ? Absolutely NOTHING! Such is the tomfoolery of one of Satan’s greatest deceptions. Who else but the DEVIL could trick and deceive people into mocking the very one who came into this world to save men’s souls.
What would you think if your close friend invited you over to his home for a birthday party, and you saw a little nativity like scene, with a graven image (statue) of him in a little crib. Then you take a closer look and you see the crib is surrounded by larger graven images (statues) of his parents, and other relatives whom you recognize? Would that not seem strange to you? How much stranger is it then to attempt to portray Jesus Christ, the creator of ALL things in a little manger every December? Can you imagine the countless millions of dollars that have been made selling things such as that, over the past 200 years? What does all of this stuff have to do with Jesus Christ and true salvation? Absolutely NOTHING!
Satan, the “god of this world” has been having a “field day” for so long now that even he is probably amazed at how spiritually blind people truly are. The principalities and powers of darkness know their “game” very well and they have been deceiving billions of souls into an eternal Hell for thousands of years now. Are you numbered among them? If the devil can convince you that Jesus Christ is a little baby in a crib, or a little infant in the arms of “Mother Mary” then he has accomplished his goal. But if you recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who became man, and then shed his perfect blood to justify lost sinners like me and you, then he is is a loser in that case. If you understand and believe that Jesus Christ conquered sin and death for sinners like me and you, and that he rose from the dead, then he is a loser again. I heard a preacher say once that you will hear the devil refer to Jesus as the Son of God, but you will NEVER hear him refer to him as the Son of Man. Why? Because the devil does not want you to know that Jesus Christ the Son of God became a man for the sole purpose of redeeming men’s souls! The devil is alright with Jesus Christ being the Son of God, but he desires the lost sinners to remain lost.
Satan is a great deceiver of souls, and he will always attempt to create a FALSE image of Jesus Christ because then you will not realize your own lost condition and your need for salvation! We must never forget that it is the devil himself who blinds the minds of lost people, to keep them from knowing the true salvation, which is found in Jesus Christ. Yes, there is a battle for your soul going on, and it is high time that you realize that before it is to late.
But if our GOSPEL be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious GOSPEL OF CHRIST, who is the image of GOD, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
To millions of people in this world, Jesus Christ is still seen as nothing more than a young Jewish man in His early thirties who taught some very good principles, and did some wonderful miracles, and walked along the shores of Galilee. They have no idea that if they die without trusting in him for salvation, that they will spend eternity in a very real Hell! Jesus Christ emphasized that truth after he was butchered on the cross, and rose again from the dead:
And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be SAVED; but he that BELIEVETH NOT shall be DAMNED. (Mark 16:15-16)
To millions of others, Jesus Christ is still hanging on the cross and therefore a little crucifix is hung on the wall as a reminder of His death. Sorry, but Jesus Christ is ALIVE and well and reigning on high in Heaven! here is something that you need to know. The Jewish people throughout the world are in dire need of salvation in Jesus Christ as much as any other person in the whole world. Does that mean that a Jewish person will not go to Heaven without trusting in Jesus Christ? That is exactly what that means, and that is exactly what the scriptures (God’s Word) tells us!
Have you ever thought of Jesus Christ as being a KING? The Old Testament is filled with scriptures that prove that the King of Israel is Jesus Christ! The Old Testament also tells us that the KING OF ISRAEL is GOD!
Thus saith the LORD the KING OF ISRAEL, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no GOD. (Isaiah 44:6)
When you go to the New Testament you will find the risen Jesus Christ speaking to John, and he told John that HE was the first and the last! Read it for yourself:
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17-18)
Folks, that is the greatest news that you can, and will, ever hear. Jesus Christ is the very same first and last which spoke out from the book of Isaiah! Jesus Christ is alive for evermore, and he is on your side if you have put your faith in him. If you have not put your faith in him, what are you waiting for? He is calling you right now! It does not matter how wicked your past has been by the way, because the grace of God is greater than all of that stuff! God still calls sinners like me and you to repent and believe he gospel, and he still uses average every day, simple people for his own glory! Get in the “boat” of salvation while there is still time, put on your eternal life preserver, and make Jesus Christ your Captain. By the way the angels will rejoice in Heaven, and that is the God honest truth!
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10)
Getting back to the Old Testament scriptures we find the prophet Isaiah talking about a KING who was was coming on a donkey, and “having SALVATION“ Who could this possibly be speaking of? He was speaking of Jesus Christ, and that is exactly how Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy KING cometh unto thee: he is just, and having SALVATION; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9)
In the New Testament we find some wise men who came looking for a person who was born “KING OF THE JEWS”. This happened to upset an earthly King named Herod, and all of Jerusalem along with him. How could the birth of a baby upset so many people? Who was this new born child? The Bible tells us that it is JESUS CHRIST.
Now when JESUS was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born KING OF THE JEWS for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:1-3)
When Jesus grew up to be a young man, a man named Nathaniel called Him the Son of God, and also the King of Israel. Could this be true?
Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? JESUS answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, RABBI, thou art the SON OF GOD; thou art the KING OF ISRAEL (John 1:48-49)
One day Jesus came riding into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had prophesied hundreds of years earlier. the people cried out Hosanna, and they called Jesus the KING OF ISRAEL.
On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that JESUS was coming to JERUSALEM Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the KING OF ISRAEL that cometh in the name of the LORD, And JESUS, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy KING cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when JESUS was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. (John 12:12-16)
Eventually the majority of Jesus’ own people [the Jewish people – of Israel] rejected Him and saw to it that He would be crucified.
But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the KING OF THE JEWS? For he knew that the CHIEF PRIESTS had delivered him for ENVY. But the CHIEF PRIESTS moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the KING OF THE JEWS? And they cried out again, CRUCIFY HIM . Then Pilate said unto them, WHY, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, CRUCIFY HIM. (Mark 15:9-14)
While Jesus Christ was hanging on that old rugged cross He was mocked by the Jewish religious crowd, including the chief priests. They mocked Jesus by telling Him that He could not even SAVE Himself. They asked Christ [MESSIAH], the KING OF ISRAEL, to come down from the cross so that they might see and believe.
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, SAVE THYSELF, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the CHIEF PRIESTS MOCKING said among themselves with the scribes, HE SAVED OTHERS; HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE LET CHRIST [MESSIAH] THE KING OF ISRAEL descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. (Mark 15:29-32)
Pilate put a placard upon the cross, entitled “THE KING OF THE JEWS” and this upset the Jewish Chief Priests. They demanded that he change it to say “He said, I am the King of the Jews” so that it would appear as a mockery as Jesus hung on the cross. Pilate refused to change what he had written, because the hand of God would not allow it to be changed.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, THE KING OF THE JEWS; but that HE SAID, I AM KING OF THE JEWS. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. (John 19:17-22)
This person who we know as Jesus Christ is still hated by the majority of people in the world. His name is often used when people are angry or in a rage, and it is often intermingled with the worst of the four letter curse words. Few ever pay attention to that when it does happen, it is so taken for granted. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is known as the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS and one day he is coming back to judge the whole wide world. Are YOU ready for that day?
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is LORD OF LORDS, and KING OF KINGS : and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)
The mercy of God is available to all mankind. Please remember that none of us are promised even another day!
For there is no difference between the JEW and the GREEK [GENTILE]: for the same LORD over all is rich unto ALL that call upon him. For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be SAVED (Romans 10:12-13)
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