The Lord Jesus is Christ who has come in human form as a man born of Mary. ^He was totally a physical man in body, but he also was God's Son who became man. He is God in flesh. ^Scriptures tell us that Christ Jesus existed in the form of God... but that he emptied Himself and took the form of a bond servant and was made in the likeness of man and as a man he humbled Himself to the death of the cross (Phil. 2).

While living on the earth, ^Jesus showed the full powers of God, including authority over nature, diseases, infirmities, demons, sin, and death. Remember He calmed the sea. ^He spoke to the wind. ^Everything in His life on the earth spoke to the fact of truth of His being the Messiah, the anointed Christ promised in the Scriptures.

But there was opposition/rejection from the very temple of Jewish worship, so much so that He was crucified. ^The voice of antichrist cried out to Pilate: "crucify Him." That cry said, you are not our Christ and we will look for another.

Jesus had told His disciples in the Olivet discourse that there would be an end of this world system, but that many false christs would come before the end. ^They would deceive many and declare themselves to be Christ (Matt. 24:3f). ^In the midst of famine, destructive earthquakes and war, these false christs would set themselves forth as saviors/rulers and persecute those who follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. ^By their words and works they prove themselves to be antichrists.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the second coming of Jesus Christ and the one opposed to Jesus as the wicked ("anomos" lawless) whose coming is after the works of Satan, who exalts himself against or above all that is worshipped while presenting himself as a god (II Thess. 2:3f). ^This idea that man is god is not new. ^Rulers/kings have sought worship and reverence from their subjects, as was the case of Roman emperors. ^All of these men died and are buried in great tombs as in the Pyramids of Egypt. ^But Christ has risen and lives on high with God the Father where He intercedes for all who trust Him as Lord and Savior.

Only the Apostle John used the term antichrist "antichristos" for those who reject the fleshly, bodily coming of Christ Jesus (I John 2:18,22; 4:3; 2 John 7).

Antichrists continue to reject the Lord Jesus as God's anointed Christ/Messiah. ^They appoint themselves as prophets/teachers of the true way of God but they deny Him and His word. ^They try to deceive the people by calling Jesus a mere prophet while denying His most important status of the crucified, risen Savior/God Jehovah who can save to the uttermost all who believe upon Him.

LIFE OF CHRIST

The amazing wonderful life of Jesus Christ is in a sense out of the world, but yet in the world. He came from heaven. The Wise Men and Shepherds, Simeon, and Anna saw the baby and were exceedingly glad because of God the Father's will in love for the lost world of people. The Stars of the heaven told the story. The angels of heaven rejoiced and brought the news. The cattle made room for Him. He was born and set for redemption and then for ultimate judgment; first to the Jews and then to the nations.

Jesus, the anointed Son of God, came as a baby, to be raised in the Galilean Nazareth home of King David's family, but born in the old promised community of Bethlehem, Judah.

At the age of twelve Jesus made quite a scene at the temple of Herod in Jerusalem during the Feast of the Passover. Here was a boy about to enter His teens sharing heavy scriptural subjects/issues with the teachers ("didaskalon" Gk to instruct or teach). He knew the Scriptures and took on the role of master teacher asking and answering questions with these learned men, several times His age.

Passover was the remembrance and celebration of God the Father's deliverance of the Jews from the bondage of Egypt. It was the time of the slaying of the Paschal/Passover lamb with its blood rubbed over the door. Without this blood over the door, death came to the eldest son in the home. This time of sacrifice by the people was repeated annually. Later John the Baptist revealed Jesus, the Lamb of God who was to take away the sins of the world.

After finding Jesus in the temple, He, the Son of God, told Mary and Joseph who had returned to Jerusalem seeking Him: "Do you not know that I must be about the things of my Father." This greatly revealing incident was followed by a period of subjection to the needs of His mother and father in Nazareth of Galilee.

MINISTRY OF JESUS

John the Baptist declared in his strong voice, at the Jordan river : a mightier one (ischuroteros, Gk. meaning stronger) is coming to baptize with fire and the Holy Spirit rather than water for cleansing/purification. John knew that he was going before Jesus to preach repentance for the kingdom of heaven was coming, since the promised King and Savior, Jesus Christ was present. Thereby more than just forgiveness of sin was at hand; there would be new life purged from the works of sin. So, John the Baptist was instrumental in introducing Jesus to the people as God's lamb of sacrifice to make payment for redemption and to take away sins of ruin in the lives of people.

God spoke as Jesus submitted to water baptism in union with sinners who had come to be baptized by John the Baptist while confessing their sins. By His sinless blood He will cleanse them of all sin. The word of God came from heaven: "You are My dearly loved (agapetos Gk.) son, in you I am well pleased (eudokesa Gk. to think well of, approve)."

TEMPTATION

After His baptism the Holy Spirit led Jesus out to the wilderness, away from the crowds, where He met the enemy, the devil. Jesus didn't eat food for forty days and nights; He fasted and waited for Satan to come. Had He eaten food such as John The Baptist was accustomed to eating, wild pure honey and locust, He would have been physically strong and not hungry when the devil came to attack. "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones to become bread." Jesus gave no room to the devil's challenge. This was not the way that Jesus would be shown as the Son of God. That would come through His ministry and works on and for others; not for Himself. Jesus stopped the devil with the Word of God: "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of mouth of God." Jesus knew the Scripture and held it as His standard of living. It's only when we search the Scripture that we find sure assurance for our daily lives. Every true Christian loves and continuely feeds on the Word of God.

DAILY WAR WITH SATAN

Christians can expect a fight from Satan against all things of Christ. We can't avoid it and must be ready for it. Satan attacks our trust in Jesus as Lord of our life, even while he opposes everything of Jesus Christ in the world of political rule and sane, equality of government. He opposes Christian education, healthy practical living, responsible welfare for the poor and needy, and cooperation among the people, while yet, promoting disrespect of holiness of life and good clean living.

Satan works the broad front as well as on the home front. He fights the family unit of a father and mother. He objects to expressions of godliness and purity of sex. There is nothing which Satan won't attack in the life of the world. He is the carrier of death and destruction.

Satan the accuser/slanderer and deceiver, devil, has many devices and methods to corrupt or to tempt/try the godly person who is serving the Lord. He will attempt to murder a believer for standing against him. Satan has and does murder believers from time to time.

We can find his works nearly everywhere in many areas of human relations and modes of communication; i.e. TV, movies, internet, newspapers, magazines. See the widespread of immorality/evil in entertainment's use of sex, photos, or merchandising and false promises in political efforts in controlling/governing. Politicians make promises which they will not keep. Sometimes they respond to bribes and promised money.

I've experienced Satan's efforts to hinder pastors, evangelists, teachers and others in their work.

It makes no difference, Satan works against the Body of Christ. He hates believers and the Body of Christ. He does not want the Body of Christ/Church to be united together as one which we are in Christ Jesus.

We must fight against the methods of Satan and expose him by our love for one another, by our sharing in everything good and honorable, to build up each other in our Christian walk/life. This is my purpose today while the Lord gives wisdom, strength and direction in His service, locally through the Body of Christ and internationally to the Body of Christ through the internet.

"Get behind me Satan I command you in the name of Jesus Christ who has defeated you," should be my and every Christian's words to the devil.