Jn. 10:10 π Jn. 18:37 π Jn. 20:31 π Acts 3:15 π Acts 14:15 π Acts 17:24-27 π Acts 17:29-30 π Rom. 10:13 π 1 Cor. 8:6 π 1 Cor. 10:20 π 1 Cor. 15:26 π 1 Cor. 15:54 π Col. 1:13 π Col. 2:15 π Heb. 5:9 π Jas. 4:7-10 π 1 Pet. 5:8 π 1 Jn. 3:8 π Rev. 20:14 π Rev. 21:5-6
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death itself. ( 1 Cor. 15:26 , Rev. 20:14 ) Mankind has spiritual enemies who use deceit so as to steal, kill, destroy and devour life. ( Jn. 10:10 , 1 Pet. 5:8 ) These spiritual beings “masquerade as “gods” and demand various things that enable them to better steal, kill, destroy and devour even as they “protect” their devotees. ( 1 Cor. 10:20; top ) Rites and rituals and sacrifices performed in service or obedience to these “gods” only increases their power to dominate and oppress. Some of these things even consume life just to do them.
In contrast to these deceitful, murderous “gods,” there is the one true God, the Father of mankind, who has sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to both redeem mankind and destroy the works of these spiritual beings who masquerade as “gods.” ( 1 Cor. 8:6 , 1 Jn. 3:8 ) God made the world and everything in it. Being the Lord of heaven and earth, He does not dwell in temples made by human hands nor is He worshiped with men’s hands (rites and rituals) as though He needed anything. He is the one who gives life, breath and all things to mankind. God has structured mankind and history so that we should seek the Lord and grope for Him and find Him because He is near to all of us. ( Acts 17:24-27 , Jas. 4:7-10; top )
Since God’s offspring is mankind, it is foolishness to suppose that His nature can be represented by human works of gold, silver or stone or by rites and rituals such as those that appease the false “gods.” God has overlooked the ignorant gropings of men after spiritual things of times past but now He commands all men everywhere to repent and turn from these vain things and turn to the living God, who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and all things that are in them. ( Acts 17:29-30 , 14:15 ) The Lord Jesus Christ, the King of life, truth and light ( Acts 3:15 , Jn. 18:37 , Col. 1:13 ), has been raised from the dead as the evidence that one day soon death itself will be destroyed. The evil spirits that torment and oppress mankind have been soundly defeated and stripped of authority and power at the cross of Jesus Christ and all that remains is for the fullness of God’s purposes to be finished. ( 1 Cor. 15:54 , Col. 2:15 , Rev. 21:5-6; top )
To those who will obediently repent and turn from the futile rites and rituals and sacrifices offered to the false “gods,” God now offers that we may believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that believing we may have eternal life in His name. ( Jn. 20:31; top ) This is the good news of God’s redemption – that we need no longer be the victims of the false “gods” nor do we need to try to appease them or ward off their power with rites and rituals and sacrifices. We can turn to the God of love, truth, beauty and life and we can bow to Him and live!
Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ( Rom. 10:13 ) His name is Jesus. He is the King, the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. ( Heb. 5:9; top ) Come to Him and receive Him as King and Lord that you may enter and remain in His blessed eternal realm. Call on Him - He will hear your heart’s cry – and you will be saved.
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