A lot of the news this week, the big news has been about attacks against ISIS. The terrorist group had killed three Americans earlier this month in Syria, and it was only a matter of time before American forces retaliated.
President Trump had vowed to get revenge at all costs and protect his interests, I mean American interests. Once again, Pres. Trump is obsessed with earthly power and might, which contradicts the basic teachings of Christianity and Judaism:
- Do not seek revenge
- Love your enemy
- Forgive others
I am not saying we must let others attack and hurt us; I am simply saying that our ways are not like this dark and fallen kingdom (Exodus 23:2, Leviticus 18:29-30, Romans 12:2). We cannot keep practicing the evil and corrupt ways of this world if we claim we belong to God.
Late this week, the US also launched attacks in Nigeria against ISIS on Christmas Day, one of the most sacred Christian holidays. Ironically and conveniently, the president’s excuse for the use of force on the Christian holiday was to protect and save Christians in Nigeria.
The president’s Messiah complex is on display for the world to see, during a time we are meant to celebrate our true Savior’s birthday and to show the world His love and ways. As God’s people, we should know that God Himself is our only salvation (Habakkuk 3:18, John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
What Is Salvation
As this broken world continues to fall apart, everyone is looking for a hero to save the day. Wars are tearing continents apart more and more. Severe weather is out of control just as the Bible foretells (Matthew 24:6-7, Luke 21:25-26).
It is obvious that we all need a Savior, even God’s people. Salvation is defined as “Deliverance from the power and effects of sin, the agent or means of being saved.”
Due to the sinful nature of man and this fallen kingdom being corrupted by sin, we all are in desperate need of a Savior, even God’s people need salvation from themselves and the evil of this world.
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about salvation and where it comes from (Psalm 37:39, Lamentations 3:26, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). Unlike the lost and perishing world, we have a hope and a future home, thanks to our Savior Jesus the Messiah (John 14:1-3, Hebrews 13:14).
God’s people don’t trust and hope in themselves, nor do we put our hope into the temporary things of this world (Matthew 6:19-21, 2 Corinthians 4:18). Our salvation and reward come from the Lord alone (Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Titus 2:11-14). The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about our salvation and where it comes from.
Yᵊšûʿâ
The Torah tells us that after the fall in the garden, God promised to redeem His creation and send a Savior to restore what was lost because of mankind’s thirst for earthly greatness (Genesis 3:15).
God’s plan was to use His holy people to usher in salvation for the entire world, not just His people (Genesis 12:2-3, Deuteronomy 7:6, Isaiah 49:6). The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for salvation is yᵊšûʿâ and it can also mean, “Help, deliverance, health, welfare, or save,” depending upon the context it is used in.
God promised through the Davidic covenant to send a Savior to redeem the creation (2 Samuel 7:12-16, Isaiah 9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5-6). Some Jewish rabbis believe the Messiah was one of the seven things God planned at the inception of the universe because God already knew that we would need a Savior because of our evil hearts and sinful ways:
- Torah
- Repentance
- Eden (Paradise)
- Gehinnom (hell)
- Throne of glory
- The Temple
- The Messiah
That is why the New Testament begins with the lineage of Jesus to verify He fulfills the messianic prophecy (Matthew 1:1-25, Luke 3:23-28). Our Lord is repeatedly identified as our Savior in the New Testament (Matthew 1:21, 2:11, John 14:6).
All of the Gospels declare Jesus is our only salvation (Matthew 7:13-14, Mark 10:45, Luke 10:19, John 3:16). Jesus was firm that He is our only way back to God and to heaven (Matthew 11:27, John 6:44; 14:6).
Our Lord taught His followers to seek God’s will and ways over their selfish and evil hearts and desires (Matthew 6:10; 7:7).
Ukraine
As I write this President Zelenskyy is meeting with Pres. Trump in another attempt to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. President Trump had campaigned on ending the war between Ukraine and Russia on day one of his second term. This pledge was just one more prideful lie he told people because he wanted to be a savior to the world. Our true Savior has clearly humbled the president by not helping him end the senseless war.
As these talks are underway, Russia continues to attack Ukraine with drones and missiles. President Putin has made it clear that he doesn’t want peace, and he can play like a puppet anytime he wants.
Pres. Trump has made it clear he wants to bring peace to help him get into heaven. The president is only looking out for himself and couldn’t care less about others, just as Jesus warned (John 10:11-18). Only Jesus can save us, because only He is perfect (Acts 4:12, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22):
- Just
- Forgiving
- Compassionate
The Bible warns us about false Christs and false teachers that come in the end times to deceive God’s people (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22). We cannot put our hope into the temporary pleasures of this life and earthly greatness that false Christs promise us; these are only idols that cannot save us (Psalm 115:4-5, Isaiah 44:9-20). The end times will only get harder, and people will become more desperate for yᵊšûʿâ!
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