“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus; like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; let all heaven and earth proclaim. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name.” (Bill and Gloria Gaither, 1970 – emphasis mine)
Isn’t it amazing that this one name has sparked so many different emotions, all the way back to His birth? They range from extremely positive to totally negative. Just knowing He had been born, King Herod tried to have Him eliminated right from the start. Satan has been working in many people to turn the world against Him.
Sadly, there are those that use the name as an irreverent cuss word. The part about not taking the Lord’s name in vain applies equally with the name, Jesus. Also, “Christ” is not His last name, as the proper title is “Jesus The Christ.” It means “Messiah” or “Anointed One.”
Over the past few years, it’s gotten really popular to attack just about anything that involves Our Savior. Yet reference to any other “religion” is welcomed. Some schools around the country are even encouraging students to bring “prayer rugs” for their “Islam” training. At the same time, Bibles are banned. Many parents are protesting this, but are being fought all the way to the school boards.
Students in public schools are allowed to wear shirts with just about anything printed on them, except when it comes to Christianity. Some have even been forced to wear them inside-out, or be sent home because they displayed a cross or other reference to Christianity.
A number of years ago, I was listening to a Country-Western radio station, and the D.J. happened to mention the name “Jesus.” It was in a positive way, not meant to bring shame to the Lord. Right after that, he took a phone call from a female listener, and opened the line on the air. Her comments gave me a chill. She stated she was “offended” by him using the name of “Jesus” on the air. The D.J. asked if she believed in Jesus, and she adamantly said, “Of Course Not!” This was a few years before the commotion started taking place by the “Freedom from Religion” group, and others that we have today.
The old adage about separation of Church and State has been so misinterpreted that most people don’t even question it anymore. Problem is, the real quote by Thomas Jefferson was meant to deny the State from enacting any laws to interfere with or prohibit the freedom of worship that each and every citizen is allowed to do. To worship, or not, is not up to the government to regulate, as it’s included as a basic right of every American.
We see Churches of Satan springing up around the country that were not in the open several years ago. Where there are displays of the 10 Commandments around several government facilities, statues honoring satanism are being placed near them. Have we seen any full-fledged protests about the open satanism?
We hear the call for revival, yet more and more of the population is turning away from true Worship; especially among the young – 30 and under. Numerous churches are changing their “presentation” to be more entertaining and less condemning, with the emphasis on feel-good messages with “many ways to heaven” stories. Abominations in the Bible are spoken of as ancient history and not relevant anymore, as if God has changed His mind about them.
Jesus Himself warned there would be false prophets and false doctrine in the last days. Paul, Peter, James, John and others covered this as well. 1 John 2:18-19 tells us, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming (the final one), so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out that it might become plain that they all are not of us” (ESV).
There have been “servants of Satan” (demons and antichrists) from the very beginning. The activity today is getting more open and the pace accelerating significantly. Soon, the final antichrist will be here, right after the Church is taken out – Raptured.
This trend to move away from true Christianity is gaining speed, as I mentioned. Satan and his demons are working overtime to deceive as many as possible. They know what enticements to use to draw any attention about Jesus away, and lead people in a totally opposite direction.
This has been expected, as even Jesus knew it would happen. He realized more would go after the things of this world than go the straight and narrow way that leads to Him (Matthew 7:13-14). For some, to accept Jesus as the only way to the Father (John 14:6), and therefore the only way to heaven, is just too restrictive on their lifestyles.
God has a way to handle that, which is given in 2 Thessalonians 2:11, “Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion so that they may believe what is false.” This is mainly meant for the time of the Wrath (Tribulation), but could also be used just before that time actually starts. Anyone who has an open mind should be able to see this world changing, and it’s not for the better.
Our Heavenly Father loves us all and doesn’t want anyone to be separated from Him (2 Peter 3:9). He made sure we have a way to be able to come to Him as if we’re pure and holy, even though we all are sinners (Romans 3:23). However, to refuse His offer and reject Jesus as our Savior will tell Him that our choice is the Lake of Fire.
To a true believer, our eyes are open, and we gladly bow before Him and accept His free gift. We give Jesus all the glory, honor and praise for what He has done for us, with no hesitation whatsoever.
The entire world will eventually bow before the Savior – Satan included. Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him, the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in Heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Our precious Savior shed His blood for any and all who would accept Him. For believers, He has gone ahead to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). For those who reject Him, it makes Him sad, but they will end up at the Great White Throne Judgment, and then be cast into the Lake of Fire forever that was made specifically for Satan and his demons (Revelation 20:11-15/Matthew 25:41).
As stated numerous times, it’s an individual choice that each of us has to make. There will be “good” people that never took the time to ask Jesus to be their Savior that will end up in eternal darkness. Then, there are those who may have lived a sinful life but, before they passed from this earth, called out to Jesus to save them. They will have an eternal home with the Savior.
Matthew 20:1-16 tells of a landowner who hired workers at different times during the day. The last group was hired just about an hour before quitting time. All the workers received the same pay. The point is, God has told us that “ALL” who call on the name of the Lord will be saved – whether at the beginning of our “accountable” years, or at the very end of our time here. There is no difference to the Father.
The place where rewards are given for faithful service is at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Some will receive rewards for their service to the Lord, and some will receive none. However, we will all be with Him in paradise forever, and we will all acknowledge the Father is faithful and just, and we will be satisfied.
As Joshua said (Chapter 24:15), “choose…whom you will serve.” There are only two options: Jesus or Satan. Some may think there will be more ways, but Jesus Himself said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me” (John 14:6).
All who accept Jesus will be saying/singing:
“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; sweetest name I know. Fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.” (Luther B. Bridgers; 1910; “There’s within my heart a Melody”)
His coming to take His believers Home is getting very close. Don’t miss the call; accept Him today (Romans 10:9-13; Acts 4:12).
Maranatha!