THE DAY OUR “EVERLASTING FATHER” DIED

Memory Text: “It is finished.” Jn.19:30

     This day is the anniversary of when "the Christ of God" took His last breath. He died what the Bible calls “the second death” (Rev.2:11): a death Christ was willing to die alone to keep us from having to face: a death in the knowledge of never seeing life ever again: to laugh, to love—to be loved. Just before Jesus placed His Spirit in His Father’s hands He said, “It is finished.” Three times the completion of a grand work in man’s salvation has taken place. And each time it occurs it represents our deliverance from the curse of sin. The first was the moment Jesus laid down His Holy Life on the Cross of Calvary carrying the weight of the sins of every man to the grave. The second time is at the close of “the seven plagues,” and Jesus says, “It is done” and comes to rescue His faithful bride from an apostate church and carnal world (Rev.16:17). And the third time is the completion of the Earth made new and Jesus says for the last time, “It is done.” From this moment forward the redeemed from Earth will dwell in perpetual tranquility and joy throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity (Rev.21:6).

     The One whose power spoke the worlds into existence, the One who blessed His children with a deep love for family, the songs of birds, the fragrance of flowers, the flavors of foods, the diverse landscapes of Earth, the desire to explore the arts and sciences, and to pioneer new horizons, it was He whom the leaders of both church and state united to take Him, mock Him, torture Him, and then nail His hands and feet to a tree and leave Him there to die. The true mettle of man’s character is seen in this final scene in the Life of Jesus Christ in sinful flesh. So, with all the flattering compliments and self-aggrandizement that men continuously lavish upon one another today is just a continuation of the mockery that took place on that Friday 1,983 years ago.

     But that which man thought would rid the world of holiness, once and for all, GOD the Father turned it to a blessing for those who love Him and desire Him: “The LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.” Deut.23:5. Jesus, as the Father of Adam, took the sins of humanity and buried them by His own death. In the legal framework of salvation only the Father of Adam could redeem the children of Adam by becoming as one of his children, live the sinless life that they could not and conquer the domain of death that its jurisdiction over the family of Adam would be forever ended for those who believe His good news of deliverance from the inheritance of sin’s condemnation, the power of its selfish nature in each of us, and its presence via evil spirits tempting every man every day 24/7. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Emancipation Proclamation! Said Christ Himself in the book of Revelation, “I am the Root and Offspring of David.” The prophet Isaiah wrote of Him, “And His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty GOD, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isa.9:6.

     On that dark Friday morning Jesus was in the hands of those who long awaited and prayed to their god for this moment to unleash their rage against the Innocent Lamb. Jesus didn’t deny them. These closing moments of the Saviour’s life in sinful flesh have profound significance for us who live today. What men did to Him then, men would readily do today. This is because heaven’s love has no place in their hearts. And when it is displayed they rise up and despise its very existence and work to have it cast away.

     Heaven’s love has been Satan’s nemesis from the beginning of his war against GOD. When he shut off the Fountain of GOD’S Love from his heart, “the water of life” he had partaken of from the day “the LORD” created him, the surging sin in his heart could not bear its presence or influence anymore. Satan shut his heart to every precious thought, feeling and emotion that GOD gave to provide not only guidance for wisdom but the desire for peace and joy that GOD has placed in the hearts of angels and men. To think, even for a moment, that the love and care displayed by a butterfly dwarfs the love and care seen in Satan who was once “the anointed cherub” shows the depths of “the mystery of iniquity.”

     The priests of Judaism were fully engrossed in Satan’s obstinate hatred of Heaven’s Love. Jesus, bound and blindfolded, they pulled his beard from His face. "And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him. And when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face, and asked Him saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?" They had to blindfold Him because they could not look into His eyes of love and do what they did. They had to shield their eyes from His. They rushed their Innocent Victim through a mock trial at night. But this was forbidden in Scripture. Witnesses were brought to testify against Him, but their testimonies contradicted each other (Mk.14:59). This is also condemned in Scripture. The high priest Caiaphas ripped his own priestly garment in what we call “righteous indignation” today. This was also forbidden.

     In these moments of the Saviour’s humiliation is seen the insanity of sin. Every charge of Moses to the children of Israel the priesthood of Judaism abandoned for their thirst for revenge against the One who only sought their blessing and good. But the Jewish priests and rulers hatred of GOD’S government of love and equality was fixed: “And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King. And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it. Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry.” Lu.23:2-5.

     Every device used against Jesus Christ will be employed today against GOD’S faithful children leading up to “the seven plagues.” Everything from accusing them of being unpatriotic, to stirring up the people against the government, when the exact opposite will be true. The saints are patriotic for they understand what the Bible teaches concerning the preservation of a nation. Many verses are ascribed to this topic: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Prov.14:34. And many verses define salvation: “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him.” I Jn.3:24. Yes, a closing message is coming! And it will give assurance of eternal life if the listeners takes heed to the plain “Thus saith the LORD.” And it will warn of “the wrath of GOD” against men in the church who have determined to perpetuate sin forever, for it is upon them that “the seven plagues” are focused (Rev.16).

     The Messiah the Jews of Judæa envisioned, Jesus didn’t meet. And because the Jews’ expectations were not met they were offended because they viewed the character of GOD in a false light. And so it is today. When Jesus came to walk among men, all that He said and did was a fulfillment of every lesson of “the law and the prophets” (Matt.5:17). Even His famous beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount were all extracted from those timeless lessons of the Old Testament. Jesus gave a promise on this: "If any many will do His will he shall know of the doctrine." “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Jn.7:17; 5:39. And yet, when Jesus came and fulfilled the promise of salvation for the family of Adam, “they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this?” Mk.1:27. Every “doctrine” of Christ was readily found in the Scriptures. This illustrates just how far the religious leaders strayed from the intended lessons of GOD’S Word. And our religious leaders are no more wise today.

     The disciples were likewise trapped in a false conception of GOD and stood illiterate to GOD'S great plan of redemption as plainly prophesied in “the Scriptures,” even to their ignoring Christ’s own words to maintain the religious views of their upbringing. The entire nation of Judæa held false expectations of Bible prophecy and the character of the Messiah. When Jesus came with power and authority the nation was ready and eager to make Jesus king. But it was a king of their own devising: a king outside of Scripture’s promises. And so it is today. The “Jesus” that Christianity is expecting today is not the One prophesied to come. The prophets have given the clear warnings how when Jesus comes, His appearance is not what Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, and Jehovah’s Witnesses are expecting. “Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.” Amos 5:18. Jesus presents to us the true course of man’s prophetic destiny: “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered the ark. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet [not a whisper as the secret rapture insists], and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds [the compass headings of north, south, east, and west], from one end of heaven to the other.” “Our GOD shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.” “His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD,” “and every eye shall see Him.” Matt.24:37-39,30,31; Ps.50:3, 97:4,5; Rev.1:7.

     Every lesson for our future has its source in the Bible’s record of history just as every principle Jesus taught and miracle He displayed echoed the examples from the Old Testament. This principle, having been thoroughly established let us see the historical parallels for the last events ushering our world to "the last day" (Jn.6:44). Among its finest examples is found in the persecution of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. The events leading to the Hebrew exodus from Egyptian bondage matches perfectly the coming events leading to the 2nd Advent of Jesus and the great exodus of the saints from this world to the promised land of heaven. Even the wilderness that the Hebrews had to travel across to reach “the land of Canaan” is equivalent to the vast wilderness of space the saints will travel across to reach their new eternal homes in the heavenly Canaan: “new Jerusalem.” And as the land of Canaan provided established homes, wells and vineyards for the Hebrew people, so the saints will arrive in heaven where everything stands in readiness for their arrival to meet their every need—and joy will flow from every heart.

     This parallel also includes the plagues seen in both events. As the ten plagues of Egypt intensified due to pharaoh refusing to let Israel go, so "the seven plagues" will likewise intensify as today's religious leaders (under the papal banner) refuse to relent on the death decree that they are prophesied to legislate against the saints (Rev.13:15). And as Pharaoh, and all who followed him perished when he tried to destroy Israel, so will the pope and all who follow him perish when the death sentence is decreed against “the saints.” Whether in a city, a nation, or the whole world, GOD’S retribution stands ready against those who threaten “the apple of his eye” (Deut.32:10). Little consideration is given to the Saviour’s warning words to those who “neglect so great a salvation” by their refusing to allow GOD’S faithful children the basic means to live: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Heb.2:3; Matt.25:45.

     Right on the brink of human extinction at the close of “the seven plagues” the greatest rescue of human history will be seen: the coming of the LORD Jesus Christ! His 2nd Advent brings to a close the battle of “Armageddon” (Rev.16:16). “The Saviour,” with His retinue of holy angels will stand stationary in the sky while the Earth continues its rotation of a thousand miles per hour beneath His feet; and for twenty-four hours the landscape beneath Him will be melting as wax before the fire (Mic.1:4; Zech.14:12). But the guardian angels of His faithful children will be ahead of the blazing tempest beneath the Saviour’s feet (Matt.18:10), gathering the sacred harvest from the living and the faithful dead: those that Jesus calls forth from the grave (Matt.24:31): those who followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and/or believed His Word (Rom.2:13-15). This is “The day of the Lord” (I Thess.5:2)!

     Despite the many fictitious descriptions of Armageddon, the coming of Jesus Christ is simply the conclusion of the final battle between the eternally disobedient church (I Tim.1:5-11) and the eternally faithful Church bearing both Christ’s obedience to His Ten Commandment Law and His virtuous character (Jn.12:48; Rev.17:14).

     In closing: Even with all the lessons from the long history of GOD’S close relationship with the children of Israel the religious leaders stood blind to how GOD had always and will always deal with the sin problem. The Love GOD desired to draw from their hearts, with His promise to protect them and guard the sacredness of heaven’s love in their hearts they wanted nothing to do with: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom.8:7. And so it is today. This is why “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Jn.3:5.

     Those who despise the love born of heaven in this world would despise it in “the new earth.” They could not be happy with those who cherish its presence and exercise in their lives. But for those who presently do not have heaven's love in their hearts but desire its presence to come into the life, Jesus promised, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Lu.11:13. GOD is more eager to give than we are to receive; and so we pray, “Help me GOD to ask for Your Presence in my life and to believe you are who you say you are.” And just know that none who have cried to GOD for His Truth “as the truth is in Jesus” has ever cried in vain.