Don't be April Fooled

Back in the days when I wanted to be "cool," I loved to sing along with The Who in the hit song, "Won't Get Fooled Again." I wanted to "tip my hat to the new revolution" too, you know, be a part of whatever the "in" thing was. Do you remember the line where they say the new boss is the same as the old boss?

Ahh, but there is one revolution that started 2,000 years ago that this world has never been able to put down, no matter how hard they have tried. Believe me, they have tried. But I have read the back of the Book and I know who wins!

One cruel master seemed to be in charge of this planet. He had all men cowering in fear of "the" dreaded foe: death.But look what Hebrews 2: 14 and 15 proclaims that Christ accomplished for us at Calvary:

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.


For no matter who you were, famous or unknown, you could not evade death calling at your door one day. And so all you could do was hope for the best. But the God of the Hebrews had promises unlike all of the other people groups of the world. And they were promised one day a Son would be given for them (and for everyone):

The prophet Isaiah told them in chapter 9 verse 6: "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

He continued in verse 7: "Of the increase of [His] government and peace [There will be] no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

Unfortunately, when Christ came and presented Himself to the Jews as Messiah, most of them rejected Him. They will not realize it until the time of the Great Tribulation. Then they will realize and call upon the One whose side was pierced for them, yes, and for all mankind. (see my post- Peace and Safety?)


John 10: 1 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber."

In looking at the first verse of John 10:1, where Jesus says He is the door, who provides the entrance for the sheep to come in and find pasture. He then says the enemy is a thief and a robber. The word for thief is "kleptes" meaning an embezzler, pilferer. This name is transferred to false teachers sometimes. The word for robber is "lestes" meaning robber, plunderer, freebooter, brigand. It can mean one who plunders openly and by violence.

I skipped down to John 10 verse 10 then where Jesus says:

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly."

I looked up the word for kill, but when I got to the word DESTROY I did a double take! This is what I saw:
apollymi
Pronunciation

ä-po'l-lü-mē (Key)


Part of Speech
verb

Root Word (Etymology)

From ἀπό (G575) and the base of ὄλεθρος (G3639)

TDNT Reference
1:394,67
Vines
View Entry

Outline of Biblical Usage 1) to destroy

a) to put out of the way entirely, abolish, put an end to ruin

b) render useless

c) to kill

d) to declare that one must be put to death

e) metaph. to devote or give over to eternal misery in hell

f) to perish, to be lost, ruined, destroyed

2) to destroy

a) to lose

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G622&t=NKJV

So this is what you get if you don't choose to go in the "Door!" Talk about being fooled. You will not drink beer with your buddies down there, OK? Your thirst will never be quenched. I didn't say it, Jesus did. (Luke 16: 24-31)

My friends, it couldn't be any clearer. Christ revolutionized world history when He came to this planet 2,000 years ago. Even famous evolutionists cannot deny it, though they've tried very hard.

Jesus doesn't ask any more from you than to come into the sheepfold through belief in what He did for you.

This April fool's day, do not be a fool.