Jesus Christ – the true Author of salvation

(…continues from part two…)

3)            John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Is this not the same “Me” of John 15:5? What more can I say other than, “End of discussion”? But it will further help to look into some key words of John 14:6, where we have “I Am” which in Greek is Eğō ‘Eime, the very name God gave to Moses when the prophet and leader of Israel needed to tell Israelites the One who had sent him. Ego Eime is the Hebraic I AM THAT I AM or Jehovah. The word ‘way’, hodos (hod-os’), means: ‘road, progress, mode, means or destiny.’ Hodos establishes the facticity of “for without Me ye can do nothing!” So, what does “I AM, Way, Truth and Life” prognosticate? It undoubtedly establishes the Deity of Jesus. Hinduism treads on metaphysical approach. The thing is that, any attempt at metaphysical hodos that has not the foundation of the Bible is an absolute esotericism based on Satanism. “There is a way that seemeth right,” King Solomon warns.

Zoroastrianism

                Zoroastrianism – Their idea of salvation is that if the individual struggles against evil and wins, they go into the place called heaven. Therefore, their concept of salvation: a winning struggle against evil in one’s life. According to Encyclopedia Britannica In ancient Iran a different cosmic situation was contemplated, one in which the world was seen as a battleground of two opposing forces: good and evil, light and darkness, life and death. In this cosmic struggle, humanity was inevitably involved, and the quality of human life was conditioned by this involvement. Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism, called upon human beings to align themselves with the good, personified in the god Ahura Mazdā, because their ultimate salvation lay in the triumph of the cosmic principle of good over evil, personified in Ahriman. This salvation involved the restoration of all that had been corrupted or injured by Ahriman at the time of his final defeat and destruction. Thus, the Zoroastrian concept of salvation was really a return to a golden age of the primordial perfection of all things, including humans. Some ancient Christian theologians (e.g., Origen) also conceived of a final “restoration” in which even devils, as well as humans, would be saved; this idea, called universalism, was condemned by the church as heresy.

Zoroaster (c. 1000 BCE)

                Zoroaster’s Ahura Mazdā is the personification of good. This God of Zoroastrianism is in constant struggle with the evil force of Angra Mainyu (also referred to in later texts as “Ahriman”) for supremacy. Can Lucifer stand in contention with the God of the Bible of Whom it is written: “Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. 9) By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed” (Job 4:8-9). Isaiah 11:4 “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”

2Thessalonians 2:7-8 “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8) And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” which is the second coming of the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ.             

                Can the evil of demonism stand in contention before the thrice holy Jehovah? The Bible has the answer in James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” The word ‘tremble’ is phrisso (friys’-sō): ‘to “bristle” or chill, i.e. shudder (fear).’ Zoroaster’s concept of a return to a golden age is merely bedtime story. Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). It says in Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Universalism is alien to Scripture.

                Our hope must continually lean on Jesus, the Author of salvation. Universalism is alien to Scripture. Origen grew up on the foundation of Catholicism, therefore, I cannot be surprised if he should mute the concept of universal salvation. It is revealed in Hebrews 9:27-28 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

                Spiritual acquittal and discharge takes place only when one is born again. To be born again, say, with all your heart, this simple prayer:

“Dear heavenly Father, I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. I believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. I believe that You raised Him from the dead. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I receive Him now as my Lord and my Saviour. I give God all the glory. Amen!”

(…to be continued…)

Read part Two here

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