First of all, who did Jesus claim to be? It is without argument that He claimed to be the second person of the triune Godhead, i.e., God the Son. In other words, He claimed to be God by His actions and His very words.

In John 14:6-11, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him. Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.'”

If that isn’t strong enough for you, consider what Jesus says in John 10:27-30, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (emphasis mine)

In John 8:58, Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

If you recall, when God told Moses that he was to go to Egypt and bring God’s people out of Egypt, Moses said, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:13).

Do you remember God’s reply to Moses in the very next two verses? “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ Moreover God said to Moses, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations'” (Exodus 3:14-15).

Jesus claimed equality with God in forgiving sins and raising the dead. He actually did raise the dead, if you recall: Lazarus, the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow at Nain. By the way, these are the only three mentioned, but I personally feel there were probably many more (John 21:25).

Jesus’ followers recognized Him as God and worshiped Him as God. Stephen called out His name while dying (Acts 7:59). The demon-possessed man in Mark 5, the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, the ruler in Matthew 9, and James and John’s mother in Matthew 20 all worshiped Him, just to name a few.

These are only a few brief examples of Jesus definitely claiming to be the one and only God by His words and His actions. Is Jesus God? Is He now in Heaven as the Bridegroom preparing to return for His bride, the Church? All who have ever put their faith in Him know He really is God. I know Jesus is God because He is my God, my Lord and my Savior. Millions of others can echo these same words today.

Jesus does not need me to defend Him. The only thing that can change a person’s thinking is to have a change of heart, and that can only come through coming to Jesus with a repentant heart and asking Him to save them.

That being said, I would like to provide something to think about for those who are “riding the fence,” so to speak.

There were over 300 prophecies (some say 375) that Jesus fulfilled in relation to His first coming when He paid our sins upon the cross of Calvary. Obviously, I cannot list that many and comment on them in a short article such as this. So, consider the few shown below if you please.

OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES FULFILLED BY JESUS:

Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 17:19; Numbers 24:17 (Galatians 3:15-18) prophecy that Jesus will be of the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is fulfilled in Matthew 1:1-2.

Genesis 49:10 prophesies that Jesus will come from the tribe of Judah. Fulfilled in Luke 3:33.

Isaiah 9:6-7 says that Jesus will be heir to David’s throne. Fulfilled in Luke 1:32-33.

Micah 5:2 states that Jesus will be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah. Fulfilled in Luke 2:4, 5, 7.

Note: There were two towns named Bethlehem at that time. One was in the region of Judea (Bethlehem Ephrathah), and the other was to the north in the region occupied by the tribe of Zebulun. Matthew 2:1 and Luke 2:4, 5, 7 fulfill Micah 5:2 to the letter.

Daniel 9:25 prophesies the time of Jesus’ birth, and it is fulfilled in Luke 2:1-2 (a historical fact).

Isaiah 7:14 says that Jesus would be born of a virgin, and that is fulfilled in Luke 1:26-27, 30-31.

Hosea 11:1 tells of the flight to Egypt. Fulfilled in Matthew 2:14-15.

Zechariah 11:12 informs us that Jesus would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Fulfilled in Matthew 26:14-15.

Psalm 34:20 says that Jesus would have no bones broken. John 19:32-33, 36 fulfills this prophecy.

After reading just these eleven prophecies out of over 300 that were prophesied, if Jesus was not God, how did they all come true? They all have been fulfilled to the letter because Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be. He is God. Think about the following questions.

Have you ever known anyone who could determine:

• Who would be included in his bloodline,
• Which tribe he would be born in,
• Which king’s throne he would sit on,
• Which locale he would be born in,
• When he would be born,
• That his mother would be a virgin (ever known anyone else born of a virgin?), and
• His parents’ flight to Egypt?

When Judas betrayed Jesus, he made that deal on his own [30 pieces of silver], and when Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was at the mercy of His executioners [no bones broken].

When Jesus came to earth the first time, He came to die for the sins of the world and offer eternal life to any who would believe upon Him. When He returns, He will be coming as Judge. If you have not put your faith in Him, now is the time to do so. It will be too late after He returns or if death takes you to the grave beforehand.

If Jesus was not God but just an ordinary man, there is absolutely no way he could have fulfilled the outcome of the prophecies I mentioned, much less all the other prophecies that are recorded of Him.

Also, ask yourself why would His followers die for a lie? His apostles and other followers died horrible deaths, except the apostle John. All they had to do was keep quiet and go back to fishing or other trade, and they would not have suffered. Why didn’t they do that? Why did they choose to suffer and die for their belief in Jesus? It is because they all knew that Jesus was exactly who He claimed to be.

Jesus is God.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

 

More than once, actually several times before Jesus went to the cross, He warned us to be ready for His return. Did you get that? He knew that death would not hold Him on the cross and would not keep Him in the grave. He would rise again after three days, spend forty more days upon the earth to prove it, then return to the Father in Heaven.

He told of the homeowner and the thief in Matthew 24:42-44, and the good and wicked servants in Matthew 24:45-51, and the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, and the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The main point in each of these examples Jesus gave was to be ready.

Those who lived prior to the flood of Noah’s day were not ready even though they had 120 years to get ready. Now get this: for 120 years, they had been warned that a great flood was coming. The visual of Noah building an ark on dry ground should have told them something. I’m sure there were many questions along with their mockery of “this crazy guy” Noah, and no doubt Noah relayed to them that God’s judgment was coming. They didn’t listen. Are we listening today?

God promised that He would never again destroy all life with a flood and there would never again be a flood to destroy the earth (Genesis 9:11). He even gave us a sign to remind us of His promise, the sign of the rainbow. (Those who have mocked and dishonored this sign are in for a rude awakening.)

Before we get too haughty, God told us later on in His Word that the world and all that is in it will be judged again, and the next time it will be judged by fire.

“For by fire and by His sword
The LORD will judge all flesh;
And the slain of the LORD shall be many” (Isaiah 66:16).

“For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,”
Says the LORD of hosts,
‘That will leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).

“But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men…. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:7, 10).

In Luke 21:36, the Lord says, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In Luke 17:26-30, Jesus warns us that the last days will be like the days of Noah and the days of Lot.

Luke 12:35-48 is another very revealing Scripture passage about being ready, faithful and wise. We should be like servants who keep their lamps burning and are waiting at all hours for the unexpected arrival of the master of the house.

Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 tell us, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

My friends, Jesus is going to return. It may be in my lifetime, and it may not. It doesn’t matter. Either way, my destination will be my home in Heaven. Many, many others can say the same because we know Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Unfortunately, there are many times more who are like those in Noah and Lot’s day. They don’t know Jesus and couldn’t care less. Their only interest is in what this world has to offer.

Since Jesus returned to Heaven, our post-Noah world has been receiving warnings from God of His coming final judgment. God’s judgment upon this world and those of this world during the soon-to-come Tribulation period is nothing to take lightly. Once Jesus removes His bride (the Church), the Tribulation judgment will be hell on earth.

Jesus gave us our marching orders in Matthew 28:18-20, which says, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”

Through the apostle Peter, Jesus had a message to us to feed His sheep:

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’

“He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’

“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’

“This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me'” (John 21:15-19).

In my opinion, this conversation between Jesus and Peter is especially pertinent to those who are pastors. Many of today’s pastors aren’t going to be happy when they stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and He asks them, “Did you feed my sheep?”

It is also for Christian parents, who need to teach their children the Word of God beginning at an early age. It is for Sunday School teachers, Bible teachers, Christian writers, evangelists, etc.

I think too many Christians believe that as long as they’re saved, they are ready for Jesus’ return. What about those just within our circle? Are they ready? Can you and I say along with the apostle Paul …

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

If we can, then we too are ready for Jesus’ return.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html