PUBLICLY SPEAKING…!
I have said before and I never tire of reiterating it; we are essentially created to worship the Creator. When it comes to worshipping Him, more than expressing our adoration for the blessings, He showers upon us our heart-felt worship should be a pristine product of a heart awed by the unique attributes of the multi-faceted, matchless ONE!
In this essay, I would want my readership to ponder on one of the singular traits of the AWESOME GOD of PUBLICLY making a statement as to his existence, the veracity of the Bible, salvation through the Cross and the imminent Second coming of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
NATION…
About 300 years ago, the King of Sweden was having personal doubts about God’s existence and the Bible's divine nature. He called for Count Von Zinzendorf, who was the bishop of the Moravian Church, to provide evidence about God’s existence and Divine authorship of the Bible. When the Count arrived, the King told him he had set aside 10 hours to be enlightened on these matters. Zinzendorf said that much time would not be necessary because all he needed to do was to say two words. The King, skeptical, asked, “What words might those be?” Count Von Zinzendorf replied, "The Jews."
How true! One look at the history of the nation of Israel would convince even a hard core atheist/agnostic about the existence of the Almighty and authenticity of the Bible. Is not the entire history of this Chosen Nation an outworking of the Deuteronomic covement enshrined in the 28th Chapter of the fifth book of the Bible? Have not all the blessings so graphically described “chased” the people of Israel whenever, they have sincerely obeyed their Master? By the same token have not the curses too sent by the chastening God “chased” them whenever, they have gone astray?
Not only the Book of Judges where the cyclical “boom” and “doom” periods of Israel’s faith is sincerely portrayed but in fact the entire Old Testament history stands witness to the solemn fact that the Jews’ success or failure in any sphere has been directly proportional to their obedience or lack of it to their Good Shepherd. UNLIKE SAY LIFE OF A LOWLY LAYMAN, LIVING IN ONE CORNER OF THE WORLD, DEAR FRIENDS, HISTORY OF ONE NATION IS NOT A PRIVATE OCCURRENCE, FAR REMOVED FROM PUBLIC SPOTLIGHT!!! It is in public domain and can be checked and cross-checked umpteen times and the unanimous verdict of the umpire (conscience) in all of us would be “GOD of ABRAHAM EXISTS AND HIS WORDS ENSHRINED IN SCRIPTURE ARE TRUE!” I repeat, if I as one average nine to five guy living in an inconspicuous place in this world, shout from rooftops nay even mountaintops that the hand of God can be seen prominently in my life by way of blessings or curses whenever I have obeyed or disobeyed Him, people may or may not believe BUT IF A DEFINITE TREND OF GOOD TIMES/BAD TIMES IS SEEN EMERGING IN THE PUBLIC HISTORY OF ONE NATION ITSELF ALL ON ONE ACCOUNT OF AN UNSEEN DIVINE INTERFERENCE, CAN ANYONE STILL TURN A BLIND EYE TO IT, WITHOUT INFERING THE TRUTH TEREOF?
Think of it… a normal story teller would gloss over a hero’s sins of commission or omission all with the aim of making the main character appear larger than life in the public eye, but the Divinely-inspired writers’ of Scriptures -themselves Jews-have never shied away from neither laying bare the serious shortcomings of all Jewish heroes’ of faith nor that of their Nation as a whole. IF THIS IS NOT TRUTHFULNESS WITH A CAPITAL “T”, THEN WHAT IS IT?
SALVATION…
Consider these words of imprisoned Apostle Paul, as he stood up and made a bold defense of his faith before King Agriappa (not a Roman) and important Roman officials...
“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.-Acts 26:19-26
Christ’s atoning death on the cross was not a private occurrence…not by any standard…it was a public event witnessed by many. In and through His public crucifixion, in the spiritual realm He was publicly triumphing over Satan at the cross. Consider this Scripture portion too…
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it- Colossians 2:15 (a related essay on the subject can be browsed at the following link http://www.jandsmministries.com/message_sep1_07.asp)
Ever wondered why Baby Jesus did not die in the hands of murderous, insecure King Herod (Matt 2)? Had he died, even then pure, atoning blood would have been shed for mankind albeit in a remote corner. For that matter, ministering Jesus could have met death pushed from mountain-top (Luke 4:28-30) or stoned in Jerusalem by his opponents (John 8:59-60)? Even then, pure, atoning blood would have been shed for mankind albeit hardly warranting public attention. BUT THE PUBLIC TRIAL BEFRE PONTIUS PILATE AND PUBLIC EXECUTION BY CRUCIFIXTION CONSEQUENTLY AS PER CLEARLY LAID OUT PROPHECIES (PSALM 22/ISAIAH 53), WOULD LEAVE NONE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT HIS ATONING DEATH, ON WHICH THE SALVATION OF THE WHOLE MANKIND WAS DEPENDENT?
Time even agnostics doubted their doubts about the clear Gospel message (I Cor 15:1-3) sounding loud and clear from the Scriptures and took a leap of faith (Romans 10:8-10)? No procrastination please in this crucial matter about your eternal destiny, for the Saviour’s II Coming is imminent.
ANTICIPATION…
Ah the Blessed hope of the Church…eagerly anticipating the return of the Redeemer (Titus 2:13). The Saviour in answer to the question (Matt 24:3/Luke 21:7) of His disciples on signs preceding His II Coming spoke about the proverbial Fig tree (Nation of Israel –Jeremiah 24) putting forth leaves again (prophecy that it would be reestablished) and the natural calamities (earthquakes, epidemics and tsunamis) occurring. NATION OF ISRAEL HAS BEEN REBORN PUBLICLY AND NATURAL CATASTROPHES’ ARE OCCURING IN FULL MEDIA GLARE! HEY, IT’S ALL HAPPENING AND ONE NEEDS TO BE DEAF AND BLIND TO BE OBLIVIOUS TO IT. For more on the chilling facts and figures of natural calamities, you may click the following link http://www.jandsmministries.com/rapturemessage3.asp.
Consider this verse “Down here on Earth, Nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by roaring seas’ and strange tides” –Luke 21:25b TLB. Tsunami is the very definition of a strange tide, not caused by cyclonic storms as normal tidal waves are but by an earthquake!
Stunning visuals (all over the media) of devastating Tsunami waves (tossing cars and even ships like weightless empty paper cups) which has left Japan reeling recently would have removed doubts (in some skeptical souls) about the veracity of the Noah’s Flood account in the Scriptures. Even as our hearts go out to the suffering lot in Japan and we do everything possible to alleviate their suffering, should we not consider Divine Sovereign will of God at this poignant moment?
Whilst speaking about the signs preceding His return the Redeemer remarked that the World would be like in Noah’s days (Matt 24:37) when violence and corruption ruled the roost (Genesis 6:12-13). AGAIN PUBLICLY VIOLENCE AND CORRUPTION SCANDALS (SO MANY AND COUNTING) ARE HOGGING THE LIMELIGHT. Now why is the good Lord sending sign after sign (epidemics, earthquakes et al, about which we see speak about in Luke 21) to the unbelieving, skeptic world? The answer is clear “in order people would believe in Him, repent and set right their relationship with Him” (2 Peter 3:9) as Grace age is poised to end anytime coinciding with the rapture of the Church. If the ordinary police charged with the responsibility of maintaining Law and order fire only warning shots initially at an unruly mob indulging in arson before eventually firing directly at them ( social scoundrels), would not the GOD OF GRACE fire some “warning shots” portending tribulation before “firing directly” with tribulation woes’ at the unrepentant lot? That’s exactly what He is doing.
Even at the cost of sounding repetitive, let me reiterate, as I have in so many of my essays before…II Coming of Christ, would be preceded by the Church rapture (I Cor 15:51-52/2 Thess 2:7) to save it from experiencing seven years of HELL ON EARTH (nothing less) better known as tribulation. While rapture would be terrific for the Saved lot, it would usher in terrible times for the unsaved ones’. The natural calamities we see now (call me Mr. REPEATER of words, I wont mind) in relation to those of tribulation (to use movie goers parlance) is a mere one meter reel (trailer) of THE REAL which is to arrive. YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET! Where would those poor souls left behind at rapture hide when the World (during terrible tribulation) receives a Divine hiding! With the spirit of Noah warning the world before the Flood, I want to plead with folded hands before the undecided ones’, not to delay their decision about accepting Christ into their hearts. GET INTO THE “ARK OF SALVATION” BY FAITH (ROMANS 10:8-10)! NOW!!!
If you do not want to listen to poor, weak Suresh Manoharan, listen at least to the MAN OF SUBSTANCE IN HUMAN HISTORY-JESUS CHRIST- HE IS SPEAKING PUBLICLY THROUGH SO MANY IRREFUTABLE SIGNS about his imminent return. So typical of Him…isn’t it?
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!-REV 22:20
Time, you set right relationship with the ONE, who has died on the Cross for your sins? DO NOT DELAY…
(Suresh Manoharan)
www.jandsmministries.com
ps...for viewing pictures related to this sermon, one may click on the following link...
http://www.jandsmministries.com/message_mar1_11.asp
