Fool for Christ

Seeing Signs and Wonders?

Why doesn’t God just speak out the message like He did in the past – a voice from Heaven saying, “I am the Lord, and this is my will.” - tablets written in stone, a burning bush, a talking ass, visitors at an evening camp fire pausing for a meal before the destruction of Sodom, a cloud of smoke and a pillar of fire?

Perhaps the reason lies in the purpose of God speaking in the first place.

Jesus said, just before He raised Lazarus from the dead, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.”

For the true believer, it doesn’t really make any difference if God speaks or not – the manifestation of the Spirit is more often for the unbeliever and the scoffer. Even the miracles of Jesus are limited – and even when He had done many miracles among them – he upbraided them by saying, “Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.” Jn 4:48

God is not out to put on a show – He is trying to reach us in our hearts and minds.

For the believer, this is an ongoing relationship that needs no additional theatrics – anything more than we are already treated to on a daily basis – the wind and the rain, sunshine, the stars and the heavens, loving friends and family, health, babies, our many blessings and our daily bread.

Interestingly enough, theatrics really don’t help the unbeliever that much either.

When Jesus spoke of signs and wonders – He was referring to two different aspects of the same event – two different purposes for a miracle taking place.

“Signs” being God’s signature or authentication of the messenger, those observing the miracle know that only one sent from God is able to perform such a miracle – and “wonders” being the sensational aspects of the event that draws the attention of the masses and fills them with awe so that they can have their hearts and minds opened to receive the truth.

Although there are many places in the Bible where you can find the record of God’s supernatural intervention – the grandest sequence of signs and wonders is associated with the children of Israel in Egypt – and the Exodus; the wandering for 40 years in the Wilderness, and entering the Promised Land.

In all the records of these events – Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.

It is interesting to note that of the 29 times that “signs and wonders” appears together in the King James Bible – 12 of them are specific mentions of the signs and wonders done in Egypt.

The second period of a “water shed event” concerning “signs and wonders” was the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In these, the Last Days or the Endtime – we are expecting an increase of miraculous events – for these have been promised throughout the prophecies concerning these times. Here are a couple of references.

Concerning God’s Children:

“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:” (Act 2:17 – 20)

Concerning the AntiChrist :

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Mat 24:24

“For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect.” Mar 13:22

“[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,” 2Th 2:9

So then, “signs and wonders” have a specific purpose, and it is not usually for the edification of those who already believe. It is rather, for the setting of the stage for specific times and events.

In the case of Jesus of Nazareth, though God did many signs and wonders by Him and the Apostles of the Early Church – it still did not result in many more believers and followers. In fact, the greatest seed or source of dedicated new believers was often the result of the martyrdom of public witnesses.

In fact, it was largely for this reason that even Jesus did not speak plainly unto unbelievers when He was sharing the truth with them.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Mat 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

You can read the words of Jesus when he did speak plainly to them in Matthew 23 – a sermon which he closed with the words, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Mat 23:38

The reaction of the Jewish leaders was to plot his death.

For the unbeliever, theatrics complicate the problem to the point of complete and utter rejection – rejection that brings forth violence and the murder of the messengers of truth. This was true of Pharaoh, it was true of the Jewish leaders concerning Jesus, and it will be true of the AntiChrist and his followers.

When God begins to do public miracles by your hand, and you come out full force against the scribes and the Pharisees, then you better be ready to be crucified.

“Zeitgeist”

The Internet is really coming into its own – a place where the millions or the billions can be taken for a ride.

Jesus of Nazareth warned – “Because broad is the way and wide is the gate that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat; but strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

There is a new film that boasts 100 million viewers called Zeitgeist. The 2007 “documentary” type film was written and narrated by Peter Joseph, a freelance film editor, composer and producer in New York City.

“Literally meaning “spirit of the time,” “Zeitgeist” was released on DVD and the Internet, and Joseph claims it has been viewed more than 50 million times on Google Video, and more than 100 million times when other formats and public screenings are taken into account. “Part One” of the movie explores similarities between today’s Christianity and ancient cultures that worshipped sun gods by a variety of different names. It concludes Jesus of Nazareth is merely a fictional character, a combination of many fabled solar messiahs.” (From WorldNetDaily)

I have not seen the film – so I will be presenting some observations about a portion of the film that is credited with destroying faith in Jesus Christ.

It is common knowledge that throughout history there have been similarities between the Gospels and other religious beliefs in other cultures, many preceding the stories of Jesus as recorded by the writers of the New Testament.

Some examples covered in the film include:

 Horus (from the ancient Egyptians) was born on December 25th of the virgin Isis-Meri. His birth was accompanied by a star in the east, which in turn, three kings followed to locate and adorn the newborn savior. At the age of 12, he was a prodigal child teacher, and at the age of 30 he was baptized by a figure known as Anup and thus began his ministry. Horus had 12 disciples he traveled about with, performing miracles such as healing the sick and walking on water. Horus was known by many gestural names such as “the Truth,” “the Light,” “God’s Anointed Son,” “the Good Shepherd,” “the Lamb of God,” and many others. After being betrayed by Typhon, Horus was crucified, buried for three days, and thus, resurrected. …

 Attis, of Phyrigia, born of the virgin Nana on December 25th, crucified, placed in a tomb and after three days, was resurrected.

 Krishna, of India, born of the virgin Devaki with a star in the east signaling his coming, performed miracles with his disciples, and upon his death was resurrected.

 Dionysus of Greece, born of a virgin on December 25th, was a traveling teacher who performed miracles such as turning water into wine, he was referred to as the “King of Kings,” “God’s Only Begotten Son,” “the Alpha and Omega,” and many others, and upon his death, he was resurrected.

 Mithra, of Persia, born of a virgin on December 25th, he had 12 disciples and performed miracles, and upon his death was buried for three days and thus resurrected, he was also referred to as “the Truth,” “the Light,” and many others. Interestingly, the sacred day of worship of Mithra was Sunday.

It is also widely understood that the ancient texts of the Hebrews contain numerous references to a Messiah who has many if not all of these same characteristics, excluding perhaps the present day calendar dates for the celebration of some of these events – particularly his birth and resurrection dates.

The Christian faith is in part, based on the belief that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled these prophecies – of which there are over 60 prophecies with more than 300 references to this Jewish Messiah in the Old Testament – what he would do, where he would be born, how he would live, his death, burial, and resurrection.

So what is going on here? Are the stories of Jesus just another fabrication of an age old story, and as such – mere myths and fairy tales?

The discussion and debate over this question is as old as the New Testament itself, and any attempt to rehash this debate here would be as meaningless as most of the controversy is in the first place.

It is a big step for modern day scholars to assume that they understand the perceptions of those who held these ancient beliefs and where and how they originated.

Seeing that mystics in different cultures and at different times have had a shared vision of a messiah figure with very similar attributes – and have in fact elevated the story of this figure to the most revered and worshipped status in their cultures alludes not to a mythological figure – but to men throughout history glimpsing one of the most pivotal events in history and attempting to not only record these events – but to assimilate the knowledge and understanding of these events and this messiah into their daily lives.

When mystics throughout the ages have had a shared vision, and in every case have interpreted that vision as sacred and religious knowledge – then one can just as easily conclude that they were in fact peering through the veil and seeing the same event – the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

However, there is one striking difference between the various mystical outcroppings of the stories of this messiah figure and the story as it is presented in the Gospels – and that is that the writers of the New Testament claimed to be eyewitnesses of the actual events recorded there – and to have lived with Jesus and seen these things with their own eyes.

In fact, they were so convinced of the story that they had written that they were willing to die the most cruel deaths rather than recant what they had written and publicly preached.

The disciples of Jesus Christ not only had such deeply held beliefs – but they, through their preaching, were able to persuade subsequent generations of believers throughout the world. These believers cross every cultural, ideological, physical and national boundary – and they in like manner, held these beliefs so strongly that they were willing to die rather than recant.

This begs the question, “Why would people be willing to give their lives for a fairy tale?”

Scoffers, like Peter Joseph would have us believe that it is because these people suffer from the worst kinds of ignorance and superstition.

That is not what the record of human history from the time of Jesus Christ shows us. In fact, it shows us just the opposite.

Jesus himself admonished us, “By their fruits shall ye know them.”

Peter Joseph and those of similar persuasions and belief would lead us toward a world where man can worship himself and be his own god.

The Zeitgeist Movement says its ultimate aim is global “unity and equality.” According to its website, “The goal is to revise our world society in accord with present day knowledge on all levels, not only creating awareness of social and technological possibilities many have been conditioned to think impossible or against ‘human nature,’ but also to provide a means to overcome those elements in society which perpetuate these outdated systems.” The movement takes a harsh view of any religion, claiming, “we have been conditioned by society to think that crime, corruption and dishonesty is ‘the way it is’ and that there will always be people who want to abuse, hurt and take advantage of others. Religion is the largest promoter of this propaganda, for the ‘us and them’ or ‘good and evil’ mentality promotes this false assumption.” (from WorldNetDaily)

Peter Joseph and his friends are not the newly enlightened among us. Their viewpoint and programs are as old as the Serpent with Eve in the Garden of Eden.

But then, they believe that is a fairy tale too.