About Mel Gibson and
"The Passion of the Christ"
Movie:
In Summary - What you need to know:- Do not add or take away from God's Word; do not make graven images.
Lengthier version:
- This movie was inspired by the writings of 18th century Catholic nun and mystic, Anne Catherine Emmerich
(1774-1824), who "was often favored by visits from the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven....who...would bring the Divine Child.." ( www.emmerich1.com). Emmerich's
book The Dolorus Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, tumbled off the shelf into Gibson's hands. "She supplied me with stuff I
never would have thought of." The biblical account is thus 'supplemented'.
Gibson carries in his pocket a relic, a piece of cloth supposedly from the
habit of Emmerich. (The Jesus War, New Yorker article/interview with Gibson, by Peter Boyer, Sept 15/03) Jim
Caviezel (a Catholic), who plays the part of Jesus, came under the influence of
the apparition (a vision of 'Mary') at Medjugorje, and says, "This film is
something that I believe was made by Mary for her Son." (The Jesus War) (1)
- "The goal of the movie is to shake modern audiences by brashly juxtaposing the 'sacrifice of the cross with the sacrifice of the altar --
which is the same thing', said Gibson..." (The Jesus War) In plain English, this means that Gibson believes as Catholicism teaches, that
whenever the mass (or Eucharist) is celebrated, Christ is each time sacrificed
afresh, as the bread (wafer, like a little cake) is considered by Catholicism to be the actual literal body of Christ, and the wine is the actual blood of Christ. "Many people working on the set
were converted" (to what?)" while working on this film. The Holy Ghost was
working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic." (Mel
Gibson, quoted at Kay Arthur's www.precept.org). " It's above religion. It's
a mother and son relationship that transcends whether you're religious or not. It's a faith for all people
for all time. And that's what drew me to the story...to bring everyone together." (Quoted in The Calgary Sunday Sun, Feb 22/04, from Diane Sawyer's Prime Time Live interview with Gibson). (2)
- The belief system behind the movie is Gibson's. "It reflects my beliefs." "There is no salvation outside the
(Catholic) church." (The Jesus War). The script is not true to the Biblical account, but uses Catholic
extrabiblical and mystical sources such as Emmerich. While being embraced by
evangelicals as a fantastic witnessing tool, it adds to (eg., Jesus gets thrown off a bridge), takes away (eg., "His blood be on us and our children" is removed, apparently hoping not
to offend the Jewish community)(see Calgary Sunday Sun article), changing the
Biblical account of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In Catholic fashion,
it focuses on the suffering of Christ rather than on His redemptive work, does
not offer the clear gospel that saves, and distorts the role of Mary. Catholics are using this movie as a major outreach to convert souls to
Catholicism. (see online Catholic Passion Outreach, Catholic Exchange, Diocese and Parish
Action Plan). (3)
Writing for Inside the Vatican (who have named Mel Gibson as man of the year for this work of 'evangelism'),
Feb 16/04, Robert Moynihan regarding the flashback at the crucifixion to the
breaking of bread, states, "This is of course the central action of every
Catholic Mass--the Last Supper is commemorated, and the death of Christ on the
cross is "mystically (that is, truly but not in a physical way visible to us
here and now) both recalled and re-enacted....Gibson...has expressed in this
film the theology of his own traditional Catholic belief: that what happened
2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, at the Last Supper and on the cross, happens
today, mystically, at a Catholic Mass. The film is "eucharistic"..."
The Italian producer present at the screenings said he
'never really understood the Catholic Mass until he saw this film'. (same
article, Inside the Vatican)
- The support for this movie is widespread amongst Catholics. Evangelicals are widely embracing it. Billy
Graham's public-relations man in Dallas saw the film at Gibson's Icon
offices. (In pre-computer days, as well as meaning 'image', it was commonly
understood that icons were idols to be venerated.) Billy Graham states, "Every time I preach or
speak about the Cross, the things I saw on the screen will be on my heart and
mind." (Do you see the danger of blending the real Jesus with the imaginary
one?) Popular 'christian' speaker Kay Arthur states, "Mel Gibson told me this
movie has been burning within him for 12 long years...." and she wants "you to
see this movie". (www.precept.org) The usual neo-evangelical* crowd, across
denominational lines, is hugely enthusiastic and highly emotional about this
movie. Tim LaHaye (of Left Behind** fame) says "Everyone should see this movie." Even some Jewish writers such as
Michael Medved lend their support, and say it is not anti-Semitic. (The
actress who portrays Mary is Jewish.) Gibson made a number of appearances
before 'Christian' groups, but according to the Peter Boyer interview (The Jesus War), the only one that made Gibson anxious, was his appearance before three hundred
and fifty Jesuits (do your homework) at Loyola. "If anyone's gonna kill you,
it's those guys, right? We're Catholics, right? We're scared of Jesuits.
Every good Catholic is." As it turned out, they gave him a standing ovation. (The Jesus War) (4) (It seems there was plenty of Jesuit input into the production.)
- Others are not so happy about this graphically bloody enterprise. For one thing, the violence far
exceeds the Biblical account. Some of the feared outcomes are that it will
color and distort the viewers' understanding of the Biblical Christ, that the
deity of Christ is undermined, that Mary will be further adored as
co-redemptrix, that it will deleteriously impress young minds with further
desensitization. (Some of Gibson's other works ,such as The Patriot, leave the screen dripping in blood.) Gibson was upset by what columnist Frank
Rich (New York Times) had to say about the potential harm (anti-Semitic in
nature) that could come from this movie. Of Frank Rich, Gibson stated to Peter
Boyer, "I want to kill him,...I want his intestines on a stick...I want to kill
his dog." (The Jesus War). (Gibson may not have understood the nature of the Biblical Christ who said
of His tormentors, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.") (5)
- The real dangers related to this movie are:
- That it will have the intended
melting pot
effect -- that of bringing people together ecumenically tolerating other religions as equally valid, more than one way to
God--rather
than the Bible way ("there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ
Jesus", "no man cometh to the Father but by me").
(Experiencing 'jesus' without regard for the truth ) (the Bible says they that
worship him must worship him' in spirit and in
truth') a bringing together around the imaginary Jesus of the movie concocted by 'art and man's device' (rather than around the
person of the Lord Jesus Christ as He is presented in Scripture)
- mother/child worship (taught long before the virgin birth, since the days of Nimrod--look him up in
the Old Testament, Genesis 10), Mary as co-redeemer, and ecumenical unity of all the people of the world, are taught by the Queen of Heaven ( under whose spell the author of the book that inspired Gibson, had fallen). In Luke 1:47 the real Mary recognizes her own need for the Saviour. Since
this "queen" is no queen at all--and certainly not the Mary of the Bible--but
is described in the Bible as a demonic being, this film cannot have been
inspired by the Holy Spirit, but by an unholy spirit that strives to unite this
world AGAINST the true God of the Bible. (See Jeremiah 7:18-20, 44:17-18)
(Also see Roger Oakland's book and video, New Wine and the Babylonian Wine)
- This film will make many mistake Catholicism for Biblical Christianity... (ie., if Mel Gibson so loves the gospel, then, though we know him to be
devoutly Catholic, he must be a Christian, ergo, Catholicism= Christianity).
Biblical Christianity teaches that salvation is by God's grace , through faith
in what Christ has done for us, not of any works that we might do.
Catholicism, however, is a religion of works. Catholicism also teaches that
there is a purgatory between earth and heaven ( a place of suffering to pay for
sin that was not atoned for in this life), something nowhere to be found in
Scripture. Rather, there is one mediator between man and God, the man Christ
Jesus, and "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment"
(Hebrews 9:27) The Bible does teach that in the last days just prior to the
return of Jesus Christ, along with a one-world government and a one-world
economic system, there will be a one- world false religious system, under the
headship of Rome, and calls this false religious system spiritual harlotry
(Daniel chapters 2,7,9, Revelation chapters 13 and 17).
- That people who flock to see the film will fall under its spell, having their
discernment clouded, not being able to see the real Jesus, but 'another Jesus', a counterfeit. (see 2 Corinthians 11:4) (There were 'miracles' reported during the
filming. Gibson indicates that he feels he may have had supernatural help in
the making of the film. (The Jesus War) The writer of this critique concurs. But if this is not from the real Holy
Spirit, then what options do we have? The Bible is clear that there will be an
increase in demonic activity as the last days wrap up. While genuine believers
(unto salvation) cannot be demon-possessed (the Holy Spirit resides within),
many who see this movie will be make-believers (no Holy Spirit resident within,
to protect them), having deceived even themselves into believing they are the
genuine article. On such, this film declares open season. 'Let him that
thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall.' (from 1 Corinthians 10:12)
- That if we deliberately choose to disobey God by willingly and knowingly partaking in what He
forbids, ( example, make no graven images, do not add to the Word of God, do not take away from it), He may just help us to believe a lie, since we have not loved His
Truth. (read 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, of things to come.)
- The real issue is what does God's Word say? If we say that we are Christian, and that the Bible is our authority, let
us consider: (Catholicism is not bound by this, as it subtracts from the Bible
and adds to, extrabiblical sources as its authority.)
- Exodus 20:3,4: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make
unto thee any graven image..." (Catholicism gets around this by deleting the
'graven images' and dividing verse 17 into two, so that it still has a total of
10 commandments. "To make and honor images of Christ....Mother...Saints...has
always been deemed a holy practice"...taken from the Roman Catechism, quoted in James McCarthy's The Gospel According to Rome.)
- Deuteronomy 4:15-19: Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw
no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you...Lest ye
corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image...lest thou lift up thine eyes
unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all
the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them..." (The apparition (read, demon) that presents itself as Mary, ('lady of kingdoms',' mother of all nations') encourages everyone to adore the 'Eucharistic' Christ...that is, the 'host', or bread (wafer, little cake if you like) which is actually considered to be Jesus. The elaborate
containers (curiously called monstrances) that are used to hold the wafer, are ornately adorned with sun and moon.)
- Acts 17:29: "We ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or
silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device."
- Isaiah 46:5: "To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that
we may be alike?"
- Romans 1:22-23: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And
changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to
corruptible man.." These and numerous other scripture verses can be applied to
the making of Jesus films and pictures. We have in our minds, from prolonged
exposure, false pictures of who is Jesus. Recall the quote from Billy Graham.
Graham seems to think it a good thing. The Bible forbids it.
- Jeremiah 7:18-20: "The children gather the wood, and the fathers kindle the
fire, and the women knead the dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour drink offerings unto other gods...Behold, mine anger and my fury
shall be poured upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees
of the field..." (Read Jeremiah 44.)
- About the false religious system, Revelation 18:7-8: "for she saith in her
heart, I sit a queen...Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and
mourning..."
- Revelation 17:5: "upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE
GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
- Luke 18:8.. "when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"
(The real gospel is not popular. Other than for the false religious movements
sweeping this world, there is no promise of end-time revival to be found in
scripture. If we want to reach the lost for Christ, we must present the Truth.
It is not done by toying with peoples' emotions.)
- Proverbs 30:5-6: "Every word of God is pure...Add thou not unto his words.."
- Deuteronomy 12:32: " thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."
- Revelation 22:18-19: "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life..."
- Revelation 12: 13... "And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth,
he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child." This chapter
speaks of Israel as a woman, and Christ as the man child. It seems that Gibson
intended to soften the perception of anti-Semitism, by deleting some of the
Biblical text. Nevertheless, if this film was inspired by Emmerich's 'queen of
heaven', its outcome, perhaps not in the short term, but in time, must in essence be anti-Semitic (against Jews). The reason for that is, that God chose Israel
as His 'ensign' to us, to prove that Jesus is who He claims to be. Israel is
central to Bible prophecy. Satan could discredit Christ if he could destroy
Israel. (Though much trouble lies ahead for Israel (Jeremiah 30:7), that won't
happen--we have God's promise. See Zechariah chapters 8-14.)(6) Remember
that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) In John 10, Jesus states "I lay down my life...no man
taketh it from me..". He did this for all of us, the just for the unjust, Jew
and Gentile alike.
- The Bible foretells how things would be when Jesus would be about to return.
We are told of earthquakes, weird weather, strange diseases, wars, famines,
pestilences, sexual perversions, increasing evil, and more. Christ
particularly warned of spiritual deception. (Matthew 24, Romans 1, 1 Timothy 4,
2 Timothy 3) He spoke of false christs, lying signs and wonders, miracle
workers, faith healers, people to whom He would some day say, 'I never knew
you'. Today we have one wave after another of 'new' doctrine. We get swept
along by the likes of Promise Keepers, the Prayer of Jabez, Alpha, Holy
Laughter, Prairie Fire, Purpose-Driven life, weird 'bible' versions that
blithely tamper with the text, etc , etc. These winds of doctrine come by,
swallowing up vast numbers of 'christendom'. Lately, christendom reminds me of
krill, the clouds of little fishes that get swept along in waves to feed the
big fish! It is not likely the little fishes thought of where they were going
or what they were going to be when they got there. They just got swept along.
- God, however, says to us, "come, let us reason together...though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." (Isaiah
1:18)
- Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved by faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
- Hebrews 10:12-18: "But this man (Christ Jesus), after he had offered one
sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God...for where
remission of (sins)...is, there is no more offering for sin." (Jesus cannot be
offered again and again as done in Catholicism.)
- John 19:30: "It is finished." Jesus said this before he died, for He had
accomplished His plan for our salvation. We cannot add to it. 'None is
righteous, no, not one.'
- John 3:16 tells us that the God who created us "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- John 3:18: "...he that believeth not is condemned already..." 'Whosoever will',
(put your name and mine, there) 'may come'.
- Galatians 1:8: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you...let him be accursed."
- 2 Corinthians 5:11: "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade
men..."
I am so grateful that my parents told me the truth despite my objections. I am
so grateful for the people who have come across my path, who took the risk of
losing my friendship for the sake of my soul. "Faithful are the wounds of a
friend."
We only get one chance at this life. We have to get it right the first time.
'Now is the hour of salvation.' We're near done. Once we step off this
planet, it is forever too late to change course. May God help us to be
faithful.
Resources (that do thorough research) used to write this article: (Disclaimer, on behalf of those whose resources were useful to write this
article--they may not all agree with this writer's views.)
(1) Roger Oakland's website www.understandthetimes.org , his books and video New Wine and the Babylonian Vine are excellent resources. His timely articles on this topic provide desperately
needed insights.
(2) James McCarthy's website Good News for Catholics, and his book The Gospel According to Rome, as well as his video, Catholicism, Crisis of Faith, are excellent helps to understanding Catholicism.
(3) Berit Kjos has excellent material with many good links about this topic at
www.crossroad.to . (4) Dave Hunt of The Berean Call has a newsletter, website, and many resources available that deal with the
ecumenical movement, how Islam, 'Christianity', Judaism, and all the religions
will unite, etc. There is no charge for his monthly newsletter. His materials
make the gospel and the eternal security of the believer, readily understood.
Read TA McMahon's article in the update about the image of Sister Veronica in
the movie, at thebereancall.org (Feb 27/04).
(5) David Cloud at Way of Life Literature Crusade website deals well with this and similar topics. His site has well documented
helps regarding Bible versions.
(6) Fred Hartman's book Drumbeats to Eternity, Israel & God's Promises is helpful in gaining an understanding of Bible prophecy. (Box 2010,
Buffalo,NY 14231)
(7) Thank you to all that emailed me about this topic, with many valuable
insights. You may recognize some of your ideas here...after stacks of info, it
all began to look alike! One need-to-read article is Richard Bennet's (www.bereanbeacon.org) and Virgil Dunbar's
(VDunbar@aol.com) article, The Passion of Christ: Mel Gibson's Vivid Deception.
(8) Prove all things. Do your own homework.
(9) The quotes used are from the articles cited, and are only as accurate as
the articles themselves.
Bible quotations are from the only not-copyrighted Bible available in English,
that I know of, today, the King James Bible, also called the Authorized
Version. God jealously guards His Word, and the gospel is not for sale. It is
a gift.
*Neo-evangelical: "new" type of evangelical, that has been around for a long
time. One would have to say, that there is a form of godliness, but 'denying
the power thereof'. They also tend to use strange bibles that have veered off
the mark. Unhappily, most of the popular movements fall into that camp. They
sound like Christians; who can judge the heart but God? Their associations
and endorsements are open to question. They are very tolerant. How is it
possible to befriend those who preach a false gospel, promote their wares, and
be at the same time a friend to the true and jealous God who will share His
glory with no other? Have those evangelicals who have had private interviews
with Gibson, witnessed to him, told him the truth? Is it likely? Could it be
they no longer understand it themselves? Delusion is a fearful thing. False
shepherds creep in 'unawares', and you may feel very good after you have been
in their company for a while. But it can't last. Their music is often
difficult to distinguish from that of the world's music. The whole thing is,
well, blurry. You can't tell the difference between the neo-evangelicals and
the world too easily.
Today, Catholicism teaches evangelical language to its adherents. The words
sound the same, but have different meanings. So now, when we think we
understand each other, we do not. It is also a challenge to tell apart
Neo-evangelicals from Catholics. Soon they will be the same...
Many of my Mennonite forefathers were killed or had to remain in hiding for
refusing to recognize the Eucharest--the little wafer--as God. Menno Simons said, "O intolerable abomination and infamy! that the praise of
God, the glory of Jesus Christ is converted and changed into such feeble idol,
which can neither avenge, speak, hear, see, stand nor walk; which worms eat
and time consumes; and must be locked up, preserved, assisted, and carried
about by the hands of men, like the idols of Babylon..." (from the Complete Works of Menno Simons, pg. 49) (Check some of the Catholic online sites for pictures
of the Eucharist, monstrance, etc. being carried about) What a travesty, that
today some Mennonites (typical of all or most major branches of
'christianity') actively seek to reunite with Rome. (See one example, online
'Joint News Release, Mennonite World Conference and Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity', Jan 28/2002. Helmut Harder, Mennonite, of Winnipeg
and Bishop Joseph Martino, Catholic, co-chaired this 4th Mennonite-Catholic
dialogue in Assisi, Italy. One of the topics for discussion was that of
sacraments. (Unity with fellow believers in the Biblical Christ happens when we
are born again. It cannot be contrived.)
**Tim Lahaye co-authors (somewhere between trips to the bank, one would guess)
a seemingly endless series of popular books about the 'Rapture', (referring to
the moment when Jesus comes to take believers home to Himself). The books
stray from Scriptural truths in a number of places. Perhaps the most dangerous
element is the 'Second Chance" idea, (almost like purgatory, come to think of
it) that would be possible if one uses a skewed bible version that twists the 2
Thessalonians account of this very real and imminent event. It seems Satan has
a lie for every occasion. Some ' bible' versions change 'damnation' from the
KJV account, to 'judgment', thereby giving themselves a loophole not to be
found in the KJV. This series is an example of the extrabiblical waves of
strange doctrines that are sweeping across this world. I will be criticized
for saying this. So be it. God can use this series, Mel's movie, the NIV (not
inspired version), Balaam's donkey, or even me, if He so please. Not all are
necessarily His choice servants....but by His grace, He uses us anyway. Beware
of popularity. Remember too that " the love of money is the root of all evil".
(NO! I did not see the movie. Whenever one involves oneself in what God's
word forbids, one opens oneself up to deception. To deliberately place in
front of my eyes something that may have been inspired by the demonic 'queen of
heaven', when Jesus WARNS us of end-time delusion, is sobering. Think carefully before you decide to see this film. Images that
will not be easily erased-- images that go by quickly and of which the viewer
is not even initially aware -- are being put into peoples' hearts and minds.)
(You will also be ill-using someone's hard-earned dollars that would be more
wisely spent getting out the TRUE gospel.)
Addendum:
Since this movie (which in the first few days is proving to be a
huge financial success) has been showing--the reactions are mixed. It seems
those who go in with a mind to be touched, are. When asked 'how has this movie
affected you personally', a typical response is 'I can't explain it'. (This
should be a red flag.) Many tears are being shed. Not that salvation comes
by tears. Some admit that the gospel has not been told. One reviewer states that the film is more about how man hates God than how
God loves man.
Despite all the protest to the contrary, some say it will cause a further
revival of anti-Semitism. (In Europe, anti-Semitism is becoming akin to what it
was during the Second World War.) This we expect, as we know that the world
will become increasingly hateful to Israel, until that hatred reaches a
crescendo during the coming 7- year (Daniel 9, Matthew 24, Revelation 11)
post-rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) tribulation period in what the Bible
calls 'Jacob's trouble'. (Jeremiah 30:1-10, Daniel 7, 11, Revelation 7:14,
Zechariah 13:8)
Controversy draws attention--it is a good crowd-getter/money- maker. How this
came to be so controversial is not something to which we will quickly know the
answer. The fact that there is Jesuit 'input' may have something to do with
it.
When the actor who portrays Jesus, was interviewed on Pat Robertson's
television program, he seemed to have something of a martyr attitude--'I may
never get another acting job', etc. He then told of how he was struck by
lightening, had an aura about him, how one of the other actors was struck twice
by lightening, how a Muslim had converted (is it safe to assume to
Catholicism?), how people were healed, etc. In a news cast, opening day,
people in line-ups were interviewed. One gentleman said he was going in with
the hope of being healed of disease, and more. The general impression this
leaves on this writer (remember this is my opinion only and may be worth
nothing), is that we must at least consider the possibility that this may have a powerful mind-altering (similar phenomenon as charismatic crowd
manipulation, same unholy spirit) effect on those who want to 'experience' 'christ' without regard for the truth, while the world who are perishing (to whom the cross is 'foolishness') look
at this and are appalled at the bloody violence of it all, presented with no
clear gospel.
Yes, His "his visage was so marred more than any man"(Isaiah chapters 52-53).
Isaiah states prophetically that 'as a lamb to the slaughter', Jesus took upon
Himself 'the iniquity of us all'. That includes all the mass murders
throughout history, that includes your sinful pride and mine, every
unimaginable sin ... At the time of His death, there was darkness 'over all
the earth', and 'the sun was darkened'. (Luke 23:44-5) Did God choose to
obscure some of the awfulness of what happened there? Only our Redeemer could
bear it.
A visual image cannot come near to what actually happened there. It is
blasphemy to attempt such a thing.. Israel still has trouble spelling out the
name of God, possibly rightly so, using rather, G-d, recognizing that it is a
name above all names. Yet 'christians' thing nothing of playing GOD! No
wonder our Lord is nearly done with the times of the Gentiles (Luke 21) and
that He soon will again use Israel to proclaim His name (Zechariah 8:20-23,
12:10, 14:16, Romans 11:26-7), for His name's sake.
As for the argument that the movie Scripture, God can use it if He will, (at
least many are asking questions) but be cognizant of the fact that Satan is
adept at quoting Scripture for his own ends.
One thing is certain. It is part of the great divide that is in progress.
For all that -- remember Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery, setting
up a chain of events that would eventually bring about deliverance from famine.
Genesis 50: 20: "ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to
bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." This movie has
already proven to be a valuable tool with which to open a conversation, about
the real soon-coming Jesus Christ our Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob-- Messiah (Proverbs 30:4: "what is his name, and what is his son's name,
if thou canst tell." See also Psalm 2:12.). We must be ready to give a reason
for the hope that is within us. The enemy that means to do us harm is Satan,
not some poor (what profit if ye gain the whole world and lose your won soul?)
movie producer who thinks he is on to a good thing. As for me, like one email
to me stated, "no-- I haven't seen the movie, but I have read the BOOK!"
What is 'the gospel' (the word means 'good news')?
"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of
heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is
worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth
life to all, and breath to all things; And hath made of one blood all nations
of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times
before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek
the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not
far from any one of us: For in him, we live, and move, and have our being..."
Acts 17: 24-28.
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one..." (Romans 3:10)
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23)
"for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
"...now commandeth men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day in
which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath
ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised
him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)
"...Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was
buried, rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: and that he was
seen..." (1 Corinthians 15:.3-5)
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..."
(Acts 3:19)
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
"Jesus saith...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us..." (Titus 3:5)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
(Romans 11:9)
"...Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3)
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans
10:13)
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying if thou be the Christ" (said in unbelief)...But the other...said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when" (said in belief) "thou comest unto thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him,
Verily, I say unto thee, Today thou shalt be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)
Hebrews 4:3: "For we which have believed do enter into rest..." Rest! Secure
in Him, whom to know is to love, who knows every secret thing about YOU but
loves you anyway!
All Scripture taken from the KJV. You may copy
this article but preferably in its entirety.
Recommended Links