Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
One of the most obvious and wicked distinguishing characteristics of the Antichrist is “the name of blasphemy” (Revelation 13:1). Blasphemy is profanity against God or the act of claiming to be God. The Antichrist is guilty of both. Revelation 13:5 says, “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” Verse 6 provides further detail: “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” This overarching arrogance of the Antichrist is also predicted in Daniel 7:25a: “He will speak great words against the Most High.” II Thessalonians 2:4 prophesies that he “opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing [proclaiming] himself that he is God.” This brash and blatant blasphemy will embolden his benighted bootlickers; we have all observed the evil power of a mob, and the mob mentality will be in full force during the last half of the Tribulation. What is repulsive to Christians will be celebrated by unbelievers, who will see the Antichrist’s pomposity as a compelling reason to serve him. May we remember that such “pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18) – then, but also now.