All About Jesus

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8

Once, a well-known and popular entertainer, said, "There can't possibly be just one way," when discussing how a person gets to heaven. This same individual proclaims themselves to be a Christian as well. If there is more than one way to heaven, and you claim to be a Christian, then why did Jesus Christ say, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)"? This statement is clear and cannot be dismissed for any reason. Yet, for many people dismissing the words of Jesus is exactly what they do. For example, the New Age movement, which is based on a combination of Eastern mysticism, Hinduism and paganism, says that Jesus is not the one true God and not a savior, but a spiritual model and guru. Cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is not God and that before He came to earth He was Michael, the archangel. Another cult, the Mormons, believe Jesus is a separate god from the Father and is the "elder brother" of Lucifer; the devil. Judaism, albeit from God, sees Jesus either as a false messiah or a good, but martyred Jewish rabbi. Buddhism only sees Jesus as an enlightened teacher at best. Hinduism only views Jesus as a teacher or guru who did not die for sins or rise from the dead. Islam says that Jesus was not God or the Son of God and was not crucified or resurrected. There are numerous other belief systems that hold similar views to the ones here, but none see Jesus Christ as who He is and claimed to be; God in human flesh and the Savior of the world. None of these belief systems seem to address the words of Jesus Himself. They only make up what they want to say about Him in order to cling to their beliefs instead of recognizing the truth.

It is interesting to note that nearly every other religious system outside of Biblical Christianity has a viewpoint on Jesus to one degree or another. However, aside from Judaism, the Bible nor Jesus, never come close to mentioning these other faiths even though a couple of them were in the world prior to Jesus coming to this earth. Personally, I think it is because when you are the way, the truth and the life, as Jesus proclaimed, everything else by default is false. Therefore, why address any of it in specific terms? False beliefs proclaim Jesus was not God.  However, the Bible proclaims, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:1, 14)" Others teach Jesus was a great prophet, but not God. Jesus said, "I and the Father are one (John 10:30).” Unbelievers say Jesus was just a man. The Word of God says, "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18)." The lost say Jesus was not raised bodily from the dead. Scripture tells us, "The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay (Matthew 28:5-6)." The bottom line is that there cannot be more than one way to heaven. Jesus, God in the flesh, was the only one who had a life to give that would satisfy God as payment for our sins. And, raised from the dead, He is the only one who can restore to us the life of God we lost when Adam sinned. No matter what a popular figure states or a well-established religion believes, if it doesn't line up with Biblical Christianity and the truth of Jesus Christ, it is to be accursed.

Maha Shivaratri

“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:12-14).” I stumbled upon a news story titled, “Devotees celebrate Maha Shivaratri.” The first thing that pops up is a picture of a man smoking a joint with the following caption: “A sadhu smokes marijuana during the Shivaratri festival at the courtyard at the Pashupatinath Hindu temple in Katmandu, Nepal. Shivaratri, or the night of Shiva, is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of death and destruction.” In short, a Hindu holy person, a sadhu, is getting high while celebrating the devil, the god of death and destruction. Sometimes we can believe that the only thing the devil wants to do in the lives of people is cause them to sin or deny Jesus Christ. While true, one thing that often goes unnoticed is that the devil wants to be like God and have people worship him as well. Scripture clearly states that when the devil fell from heaven it was because he desired to “raise his thrown above the stars of God” and “make myself like the Most High.” The devil wants to be like God. And just like the true God desires “devotees” to worship Him in spirit and truth, the devil wants “devotees” worshiping him in flesh and lies. Remember, it was Jesus Christ who stated, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10).” The devil, described here as “the thief” is said to want to steal, kill and destroy. This lines right up with the followers of Shiva worshiping a god of death and destruction. But, what is most interesting is that the festival practices are done to achieve such things as the “purification of the soul,” attaining “virtue,” experiencing “longevity and gratification of desires,” receiving “wealth,” obtaining “knowledge,” and “satisfaction with worldly pleasures.” What does scripture say about this?

“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people (2 Timothy 3: 1-2, 4-5).” This entire festival is about people worshiping a false god of death and destruction by performing rituals designed to help them indulge their fleshly desires. If that is not of the devil, nothing is. What better way for the devil to gather “devotees” for himself then to disguise himself as a god who offers people the chance to indulge their flesh? Sadly, the influence of the devil is not only seen in Hinduism, but in other religions, including certain aspects of Christianity. We have grown all too familiar with those who will murder for the chance to be united with “72 Virgins” in a “Sensual Paradise” or false Christian teachers who teach that “godliness is a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:5).” The devil is a schemer and a deceiver who can make sin and godlessness seem holy and of God. He often does this through the guise of religion. He doesn’t always come with his so-called “horns and pitchfork” being displayed for all to see. Most often his intentions are masked as a deity who promises us the world if we just do his bidding. But, God knows better and warned us of this; “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).”  Regardless of whether a person is deemed holy by smoking marijuana while worshiping a false god of death and destruction, serves their false god of death and destruction by murdering innocent people in an attempt to get 72 virgins or believes God wants them to be healthy and wealthy, the devil is behind it all in a failed attempt to be like the Most High. Ask the Lord to give you discernment regarding the devil’s schemes and when they are revealed to you, have nothing to do with them.