Christ the Conqueror: Part 3. Christ Overcoming the World System.

[Marilyn C]

People trying to Influence Christ.


When Jesus Christ was on earth, He knew that His mission was to give Himself as a sacrifice for mankind. However, there were many people that tried to stop Him or even to kill Him. But Jesus never got deflected from His purpose.

When Jesus returned from the wilderness He came to Nazareth where He had grown up. Jesus went to the synagogue and read from the prophet Isaiah a prophecy about Himself.

`Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time….. So he came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up…..He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read….`The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me to preach…to heal…..to proclaim liberty….to recover sight…` (Luke 4: 13 – 18)

Jesus said that `Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.` (Luke 4: 21) But the people did not believe Him and tried to not only send Him from their village but to kill Him.

`…all those in the synagogue…..were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill….that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.` (Luke 4: 28 – 29)


One day Jesus was telling His disciples that He would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed but will be raised on the third day. Peter didn`t want Jesus to die, probably thinking that He could deliver them from the Romans. Jesus realized it was Satan influencing Peter.

Then Peter took Him aside, and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord; this shall not happen to You! But He (Jesus) turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matt. 16: 22 & 23)


The Scribes and Pharisees of the rulership of Israel at the time did not receive Jesus and were always trying to trip Him up through the law. However, Jesus revealed the greater truth - `I desire mercy and not sacrifice. ` (Matt. 12: 1 – 8) Later the Pharisees said that Jesus was working with the ruler of demons, then they wanted a sign. Through out Jesus` ministry these rulers of Israel continually tried to trip Him up, for they were jealous that the people went after Him and concerned for their authority.

`Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people assembled at the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and plotted to take Jesus by trickery and kill Him.` (Matt. 26: 3 & 4)

 

[Marilyn C]

Jesus was also tempted by offers from people and Satan to take a position in the World System – Political, Economic and Religious.

Christ rejects Satan`s Offer of Religious Leader.

Satan, the devil, took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him the kingdoms of the world and what they have produced, their glory. And these kingdoms were those under the Roman Empire at that time.

`Again, the devil took Him (Jesus) up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ` (Matt. 4: 8)

Satan had influenced man in organizing how these kingdoms operate. He proudly showed Jesus the Temples built to honour their gods; the structures like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Caesar’s Palace; the aqueducts and roads throughout the land; gold, silver and precious stones made into intricate jewellery and for commerce. The world system built to honour man and his accomplishments.



Satan then told Jesus the cost of being ruler over all that `glory.`

`And he said to Him, “All these things I will give to You if you will fall down and worship me.” (Matt. 4: 9)

Satan desired Jesus to not only rule the kingdoms but to worship him. If Jesus did then the people of the world would also worship Satan. Thus, Satan would have Jesus as his High Priest.

Then Jesus said to Him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, `You shall worship the LORD you God, and Him only shall you serve.`” (Matt. 4: 10)

Jesus rejected Satan`s offer of religious leader of his World System.



The False Prophet receives the offer of Religious leader.

In the tribulation a man will receive the offer of religious leader of the World System. He is called the False prophet, and causes all to worship the World leader, (the beast).

`And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, (Global Leader) telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.

He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. ` (Rev. 13: 14 & 15)

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ rejects the offer of Economic Leader.


After the disciples had gone out preaching and healing, Jesus took them to a deserted place near Bethsaida. However, the people found out where He was, and the multitudes followed Him.

Jesus preached and healed all those needing healing. Then as the day drew to a close the disciples told Jesus to send the people away to get food. However, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people themselves. Andrew said -

`There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many? (John 6: 9)

Jesus was teaching His disciples of His and their reliance on the Father for daily needs.

`Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks he distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise as much fish, as they wanted….` (John 6: 11)

Now, not only are the people fed but some men realized that here was someone who could perform miracles of producing great amounts of food from a small amount. They therefore decided that they would grab Jesus for they saw the economic gain for themselves.

`Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Therefore, when Jesus perceived they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, he departed again to a mountain by Himself alone.` (John 6: 11, 14 & 15)

But, Jesus declined the offer by going into a quiet place by Himself.


The False Prophet receives the offer of Economic leader.

In the tribulation the man called the false prophet will receive the offer of Economic leader, (as well as the Religious leader). He will oversee the Economic aspect of the World System. No one will be able to `buy or sell,` unless they have the authorization, the mark, number and name, of the World Leader.

`He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads. And that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.` (Rev. 13: 16 & 17)

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ rejects the Offer of Political Leader.


Just before the feast of Passover Jesus went to His friend`s place in Bethany. It was the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Jesus had previously resurrected Lazarus and His fame had gone out into the land.

`Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him……

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; but they came not for Jesus` sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead…..(John 12: 1 & 2, 9)

Thus, there was developing a great expectation of Jesus coming to the feast. He was the one who had overcome death. And death was man`s great fear. So, with great excitement the people gave Jesus a grand entrance into Jerusalem declaring Him to be their King. Who could go against Him who had the power over death, they would have thought.

`The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:

“Hosanna! `Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!` The King of Israel.” (John 12: 12 & 13)

But Jesus did not receive that offer of kingship by the populous, for Jesus knew that only by His sacrifice on the cross would death be finally overcome.


The Anti-Christ receives the Offer of Political Leader.

In the tribulation there will be a man however, who by deceit, tricks the world into thinking he can overcome death. He is made the Political Leader of the World System. The world worships him and Satan, saying, `Who can make war with him?`

`I saw one of his heads (leaders) as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marvelled and followed the beast. So, they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Rev.13:3 & 4)