I saw this image today, and thought that he should really study the bible. In my humble opinion, this infographic is based in the politics of the day than it is in Christianity. The message of the infographic is somewhat laughable when it is compared to scriptures.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:4 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of god, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.
2 Timothy 4:1-2 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage- with great patience and careful instruction. (After reading this version, I don’t believe the “religious leaders” will be able to deport Jesus.”
Jude 1:14-15 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
So, here are my thoughts on this infographic:
- Jesus is not anti-war, nor did he teach an anti-war message (Teaching an “Anti-war” message)
The Old Testament is full of stories about the Israelites at war with other nations after they were freed from slavery in Egypt. Scripture teaches that God led the Israelite army into battle, and in many cases God did much of the fighting for Israel.
Matthew 10:34 “Do not suppose that I come to bring peace to the earth. I didn’t not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Luke 22:36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.
Revelation 19:15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
- Jesus didn’t favor the poor over the rich. (Teaching an “Anti-rich” message)
I believe this statement is based on the current political state of class warfare. I don’t believe Jesus was anti-rich; however, the term “anti-rich” got me asking the question, “How does the bible define poor?”
Although there are a few exceptions, the term poor in Scripture refers to an economic condition, but the circumstances and causes associated with that condition are complex such as oppression, isolation, and social injustice (Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 19:4) A person in a right relationship with God can be poor (Proverbs 28:6).
The New Testament describes two types of poverty. One definition does not indicate extreme poverty. The koine Greek for this type of poverty is “penes” It’s a condition of living from hand to mouth and making a bar and scant livelihood, such as the two mites the windows put into the treasury (Luke 21:2)
The other is known as abject beggary or pauperism and is derived from the koine Greek word “ptochoi.” Lazarus, who was laid at the gate of the rich man’s palace, begging even the crumbs which fell from the table of the rich man, would be considered in this type of poverty.
The bible teaches that wealth is a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 5:19). Furthermore, Life and our lot in life is a gift from God. However, the Bible teaches there are pitfalls to wealth. Jesus taught that the more that God provides a person the more God expects from that person; each person will be judged accordingly.
1 Timothy 6:10: For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:17-19: As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Luke 16:13: No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
Luke 12:48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
- Jesus didn’t have a progressive political view. (Progressive Rabi)
I am convinced the by using the term “Progressive Rabi” the author of the infographic is attempting to tie Jesus’ teaches in with a political view in order to legitimize the progressive’s social political viewpoints. Even though Jesus was born to be a king, He told Pilate that He wasn’t involved in the politics of that age (John 18:33-36). The bible teaches that dead in Christ will be resurrected to rule with Christ as the Kingdom of God is established here on earth (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 20:4).
John 18:33-36 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Revelation 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
- Jesus never advocated breaking the law. (Those who don’t welcome immigrants will be excluded from His Kingdom)
Benjamin’s remark in this part of the infographic is rooted in the illegal immigration debate, but where would Jesus stand on illegal immigration. In my humble opinion, there is a huge different between legal and illegal immigration.
The first five books in the Old Testament are call the Torah. The Torah contains narratives, statements of law, and statements of ethics. Collectively these laws, usually called biblical law or commandments, are sometimes referred to as the Law of Moses. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. (1 Johns 3:4). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Laws are important to God; therefore, God would never advocate breaking just laws; however, Christians do believe that laws that contradict God’s laws are breakable. Paul urges Christ followers in Romans 13 to “Submit to governing authority,” and to “obey the law.”
Onesimus was a run-away slave to Philemon, and Paul sent Onesimus back to Philemon with a note to Philemon asking that he treat Onesimus as a brother and not as a slave. Under the Roman Republic the owners of slaves were allowed to inflict whatever treatment or punishment they wanted on a slave.
Matthew 22:17-22 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
The bible is clear on who will be excluded from God’s Kingdom.
Galatians 5: 19-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
It is very important that anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ have accurate understanding of God. Too many people have distorted their view of God to correspond to the image of a god they are comfortable serving. We must clear all personal presuppositions and see God for who he is. Anything else is idolatry.