Followers of Jesus Christ are the John the Baptist of Today

Luke 3:1-6

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.

• The Word of God exists in a world hostile to the teachings of the Bible.
• We share the message of the Cross anywhere we can.
• Making known the Gospel of Christ in a wilderness.
• God’s people share a message of judgment and Salvation when Jesus returns.

The Word of God exists in a world hostile to the teachings of the Bible. The ministry of John the Baptist came under some very infamous and cruel leaders, such as Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and the Jewish high priests of Annas and Caiaphas. They were involved in beheading John the Baptist, plotting to kill Jesus, and crucifying Jesus Christ. “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.” Luke 3:1-2

The government during the times of John the Baptist and Jesus is prophetic for today’s times. As followers of Jesus Christ, the word of God is with us through Jesus Christ, and we embrace the Bible. At the same time, communities everywhere are governed by the mark of the beast, as are the churches and every level of government. It’s global. They blaspheme God, throw Jesus Christ out of their network, and trample on the Holy Spirit. What holds their social network together is the thing that has power over physiology and is able to form thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and feelings. They thrive on the power and authority given to them, along with heightened intuition, uncanny knowledge, extraordinary skills, etc. They encourage the “community family” frame of mind, which is humanism empowered by the mark of the beast. They are hostile towards the teachings of Jesus Christ.

We share the message of the Cross anywhere we can. As followers of Jesus Christ, we hold to His testimony which is summarized like this, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 Coming to Christ for the forgiveness of sin is the preparation we make for His return. Everyone who holds to the testimony of Jesus are the John the Baptists of this time because we share the Gospel wherever we can, “And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:” Luke 3:3-4

Making known the Gospel of Christ in a wilderness. Today, spreading the Gospel of Christ is like being in a wilderness shouting for people to prepare for the return of Jesus. In this Christless world, there are prohibitions against sharing the teachings of the Bible in populated public places. The Gospel isn’t even being presented to the 166,000 migrants that come to the US/Mexico border every month. Posting blogs is definitely a wilderness territory since we never know who is on the other side of the computer screen. When I wear my t-shirt that says, “Normal Isn’t Coming Back Jesus Is. Revelation 14,” I am either ignored, accosted verbally, or asked to be someone’s laborer. The following verse was a prophecy about John the Baptist, and today we are the ones telling people to prepare the way of the Lord, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.” Luke 3:4

God’s people share a message of judgment and Salvation when Jesus returns. John the Baptist had the message that the first coming of Jesus Christ would fill the souls of multitudes with the Bread of Life; He would bring down the high and powerful places of the Jewish hierarchy; He would make the corruption of the Jewish hierarchy straight; He would make smooth the rough burdens of laws, rituals, and requirements; and all human beings would see the day of Salvation when Jesus gave His life on the Cross to atone for sin. Today, we have a similar message to share when Jesus returns, on the Day of the Lord this earth is going to shake, rattle, and roll. The valleys will be filled as every mountain and hill fades away. On that day, Jesus Christ is going to correct all the wrongs done to His people as the crooked places are made straight and the rough ways smooth. Everyone will see Him as He brings Salvation to those who believe in His name. That is the message we share today, one of judgment and Salvation on the day of the return of Jesus. “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” Luke 3:5-6

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11