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.)
The extent of the wicked power of the Antichrist will deceive the unwise unbelievers during the Tribulation. Revelation 13:7 soberly states, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them, and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” “The saints” here are people (including a large number of Jewish people) who are saved in the terrible, nearly seven-year period of tribulation, for the believers on earth prior to this time have been raptured into heaven (as we have previously discussed in considerable detail). Zechariah 13:8-9 makes it clear that two thirds of the Jewish believers will be killed (the meaning of “overcome”) at that time. The percentage of non-Jewish (or Gentile) believers slaughtered is not given in Scripture, but it could well be even higher, given that God’s special protection outlined in Revelation 12 is specifically for Jewish Christians. This large-scale massacre of the martyrs is worldwide in scope: “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). This diabolical display of destruction, sadly, will prompt many to “worship” the Antichrist. The desire to be on the perceived winning side will be a powerfully evil incentive to bow down into spiritual slavery. The truly perceptive individual understands that morality is more important than malicious might and that principle is greater than pernicious power. The ultimate irony is that Jesus is the One with eternal efficacy, with everlasting saving strength. He is the real winner, and His victory grants not death but life.