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In these last days, men are groaning under the yoke of bondage to sin. They put forth efforts to break free, to become better, and to live in peace, but they fail. All their efforts result in ashes and devastation. Left to its own powers, humanity is weak to free itself from its slaveholder – Satan. The prophet Isaiah says:
“Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?” Isaiah 49:24.
The strong man is the devil and its prey is mankind. Yet we may exalt and praise the Mighty One who is mighty to save and who afterward said the following:
“But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Isaiah 49:25.
Salvation through Christ
The prophecy of the Old Testament Scripture, compared with the explanations of the New Testament Scripture, describes with awe-inspiring clarity God’s plan to save us through Jesus Christ. This plan has been a mystery of God that has been revealed in time with brighter and brighter rays, until it shone, powerful and heartwarming, after the explanations that were given to men by Christ Himself. The apostle says:
“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Tim. 3:16.
Jesus of Nazareth declared to the woman of Samaria, in response to her expectations about the coming Messiah: “I that speak unto thee am he.” John 4:26. Yes, the heavenly help that was promised has come! Jesus was fighting the battle with Satan. We advise you to read the gospels of the New Testament and remember the life and struggles of Jesus. They describe a battle that has eternal consequences, a battle that was fought for you.
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The heart of Infinite Love made the sacrifice to allow The Son of God to be sent to save mankind from sin and Satan. And it was self-sacrificing love on the part of the Son that gave Him strength to come here on His mission with joy. Of the Father, we are told:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
And Jesus Christ is “the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:1). Satan hated Jesus Christ. He attempted to kill Him through Herod. The Father kept Him alive – the time for Him to day had not come yet.
Then Satan tried to lead Jesus to sin. He did not succeed in doing so. Jesus had to remain pure and spotless, to be a perfect Sacrifice – a redemption for the sins of the fallen race. Satan controlled those who were held by him as his captives and they cried against their Savior:
“And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.” (Mark 15:13, 14).
In the humble and virtuous earthly life of Jesus, in His terrible agony in Golgotha, there was found a divine Savior and Friend. And men, that were bound by their slavemaster, were crying against the heavenly help…
The eyes of some were opened, they neared Him and they recognized Him. They became His disciples, and through Him, they received propitiation for their sins, a renewal of their hearts, peace in their minds, and strength to proclaim Him to the world. Jesus called them friends.“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15.
As a Friend to His friends, Jesus told them who had sent Him, why he was sent, and what the further plans of the Father for those who had accepted His Son were. The friends of Jesus know that Jesus lived, suffered, and died on Calvary, humiliated and mocked because on Him the sin of the world was laid. The Innocent One became redemption for the guilty ones, that through faith in Him, they might receive pardon and entrance into eternal life.
This truth is salvational to this day. Jesus was raised, and ascended to the Father where he is still ministering, pleading as a merciful Intercessor for all those sinners on earth who repent and ask Him for forgiveness (Heb. 7:25). The sermon of the Gospel wakes people up to their true condition and encourages them to go to the Savior, to their Friend, Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16.
So when men today are suffering, when they are in despondency when their efforts to do good are failing, why don’t they turn to the Savior, to the true Friend of mankind? The following verse continues to be true to this day:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none another name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
Here is the invitation that Jesus extends to everyone of us:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28.
There is no sin that cannot through faith in Christ be forgiven. There is no difficulty that cannot be helped by Jesus. He lives today to help His friends – those who believe in Him.
And when, according to God’s plan, the intercessory ministry of Christ in heaven is finished, then he shall come a second time to gather together His friends and take them to Himself, so that they would be with Him forever more. He shall clothe them with immortality, he shall bring them to a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.
There, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21:4).
Everlasting joy in the presence of Christ will be the life of the saved. This time is near. The events in the world confirm the prophecy about the time that is just before the Coming of Christ.
Dear reader, what kind of life do you live? Do you have struggles and sufferings? What hopes do you have? What plans do you devise? Be careful! How many people before you have lived and devised all kinds of plans? Where are these plans now? They are gone. The things of earth go away and together with them disappear one’s earthly ideals and earthly accomplishments. What have you laid up as a treasure for eternity? Jesus said:
“For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:25.
Jesus has taken care to prepare a glorious eternity for you. But do you put any value in the salvation that was accomplished by Him? Are you connected to Him in a saving personal relationship? Have you been reconciled with the Father? Is Jesus a Friend to you? Have you parted completely with the sinful life and with Satan? Have you clung to Jesus and have you loved righteousness?
Jesus has done all for your salvation, but there needs to be one more effort on your part – to reach out and take this salvation. Jesus is kindly inviting you. Jesus does not force. He is pleading with you to recognize your best interest and do what is necessary for your eternal salvation.
Come to Jesus! Seek Jesus! How? Without delay, take the Gospel. Learn the history of your great Savior. Kneel before Him. Tell Him of your pain, of your need. He sees. He hears. He will answer you. Then may the grace of God be poured out upon you, and then life will be seen in another light, and your heart will be filled with the peace of Christ.