Jesus came to this earth over 2,000 years ago. His first coming was proclaimed through many signs of the times. Yet, despite these signs, God’s people did not recognize Him when He came. On the contrary, many were even against the Messiah! The religious people at that time even conspired against Him out of jealousy! This is clearly seen in John 12:19 and Matthew 27:18. We should by no means think that religion is harmless.
From the Gospel of Matthew to the Gospel of John, we see who was truly against Jesus
It was not the Romans nor was it the unbelievers or the sinners (Jesus was even called a friend of sinners), but it was the religious people, the elders, the Pharisees, the scribes, and those who knew the Bible who were against Him. The entire religious system of Judaism, which was based on the Holy Scriptures, was made up of people who actually should have known God.
Is it any different today?
Not at all. Today, a large religious system still exists – starting from the Roman Catholic Church and going all the way to the most recent divisions among Christians. The Bible summarizes this system in one word: Babylon.
This system is full of mixture, confusion and division. We must recognize that our current situation is exactly the same. And just as it was at His first coming, so also will it be at His second coming. The devil does not have to invent anything new to mislead mankind because his system works well.
We are so vulnerable and so gullible. We believe whatever we hear in sermons and messages. But, what if the things we hear are wrong? The only thing we can trust in is the Bible, the living and abiding Word of God. Read the living Word of God yourself. If you do not read it yourself, you will not know whether what is preached corresponds to the truth or not. Read the Scripture and ask the Lord to open your eyes and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation! (Ephesians 1:17)
Jesus says in Matthew 5:18:
“For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
Every word will be fulfilled. He who does not read the Word has himself to blame. When the Lord comes back we cannot say: “We believed brother XYZ!” The Lord will ask us: “Who is that? Why did you not read my Word? Are you unable to read?” From elementary school through college we have read countless books. So why is it that we do read the book of books? Why do we simply believe what other people say?
At the first coming of Jesus, most people believed the elders, the high priests, the scribes and the Pharisees because they were supposed to be the experts. At the second coming of Jesus, we should not make the same mistake and be deceived through the devil’s system of religion. The signs of the times show us that there is not much time left until Jesus comes again. That is why we must read this wonderful book ourselves and experience how God speaks to us directly and reveals His current will to us. Until Christ comes again, there are still so many riches to discover in God’s Word. Today, we rely on sermons and messages alone. Each one of us must read the Word of God ourselves. Each one of us must seek the truth and follow Christ. Otherwise, due to the current system of religion, we will miss the coming of Christ again! Only by following Christ can we belong to the firstfruits! For in Revelation 14:4b it says that the firstfruits are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes!
