“Then saith he (Jesus) to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands: and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and BE NOT FAITHLESS, BUT BELIEVING (capitals mine). And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, THOMAS, BECAUSE THOU HAST SEEN ME, THOU HAST BELIEVED: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HAVE NOT SEEN, AND YET HAVE BELIEVED (capitals mine)”
John 20:27-29
Shortly after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, He physically appeared before His disciples to verify the fulfillment of the Promises made concerning His being raised from the dead. Most of the disciples were there, except for Thomas (aka “doubting” Thomas). Thomas did not believe the other disciples had actually seen Jesus and he blatantly said that unless he personally could see and touch the holes in Jesus’s hands and side, he would not believe Jesus had Risen. Guess what? Jesus then appeared before them again when Thomas was there and instructed Thomas to go ahead and touch His wounds. Thomas. after witnessing firsthand, the terrible things Jesus had gone through, he finally believed Jesus had Risen and proclaimed Him, “My Lord and my God.”
One of my favorite Scriptures in the entire Bible, one that is truly prophetic to all who were born after Jesus ascended back into Heaven is Jesus’s Promise to ALL who believe. “THOMAS, BECAUSE THOU HAST SEEN ME, THOU HAST BELIEVED: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HAVE NOT SEEN, AND YET HAVE BELIEVED (capitals mine)”. Those who Believe in Jesus, even though we have never seen Him or His wounds will be blessed! That is a choice we must all make!
“And his (Satan) tail drew the third part of the stars (angels) of heaven, and did cast them to the earth…”
Revelation 12:4
What has always amazed me is we know from the Bible’s teachings that Satan (aka Lucifer) was a beautiful and powerful angel created by God in Heaven. Apparently, like the Creation of man, God gave angels free choice. Unfortunately for him (and us), his pride got in the way, and he chose to attempt to exalt himself above the True God. In doing so he was also able to deceive and convince ONE THIRD of all angels in Heaven to follow him, not God. As a result, they were all thrown down to earth to wreak “hell” on earth which started with sin being introduced to this world through Adam and Eve’s choice. What is so amazing to me is Satan and his fallen angels were in the very presence of an omniscient, omnipotent God. What in the world (or heavens) were they thinking? Unlike us, they were there and personally saw God in all His Glory but didn’t believe in Him! But they did believe in the lies and deception of Satan. As Believers, we haven’t yet seen Jesus, but we Believe. For that we will be Blessed!
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this THEY ARE WILLINGLY IGNORANT OF (capitals mine), that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgement and perdition of UNGODLY MEN (capitals mine).”
2 Peter 3:3-7
Unfortunately, for many of our friends and family, there are many reasons why they don’t believe. They haven’t personally SEEN the prophecies being fulfilled even though we know of those very prophecies being fulfilled right before our very eyes today. They “ARE WILLINGLY IGNORANT OF” those things occurring right before their eyes. “Willingly ignorant” means a personal choice! Therefore, it is up to each and every Believer to let our friends and family know the truth of God’s Word, the Holy Bible so that they will not have to experience the “…day of judgement and perdition of UNGODLY MEN”. Just remember our salvation does not come by works or anything we do. Jesus’s life and death alone and God’s Gift to us of eternal salvation IF we believe in His Purpose is what will save us in Heaven for eternity.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
Hopefully, like me, you will accept Jesus died on the cross for our sins and if we BELIEVE in Him and ask for forgiveness of our sins, we will be saved! And, we don’t have to see Him (yet). Please let your friends and family know of this remarkable act of Grace from God. You can do this by doing what He asked all of us to do, and that is to “…therefore comfort one another with these words.” Not my words. His Word!
Believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you will be truly and eternally Blessed by God!