CHRIST THE DELIVERER

By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

Right from the Garden of Eden, the stage was set for the Mighty Deliverer to step onto the world stage! The Promise came from Almighty God Himself, Who had earlier created the heavens and the earth, the cosmos and everything therein.

Although the great plan of Redemption and the 'Coming of the Deliverer' to ransom fallen man was already a done deal, it was not until the wicked, treasonous Lucifer had caused the greatest catastrophe to befall the human race, that the great God and Creator made it public.

Certainly, Adam and Eve, the first human beings to rebel, couldn't have seen the announcement coming, as things had escalated out of the precise order they were so accustomed to previously.

That Wicked One, the conniving Deceiver, undoubtedly knew there would be a strong response from the EVER LIVING ONE to his dastardly deed. But, the 'Coming of the Deliverer' was more than he had expected.

He was stricken with panic as he heard the Almighty question Adam and Eve: “Adam, why did you do this”? Adam passed the buck, using a blame game approach: “The woman you gave me is to blame. She gave me the fruit. It is not my fault.”

God asked the woman: “What hast thou done?” Eve answered truthfully, “The serpent beguiled me and I did eat.” She pointed at the devil in the SNAKE and said, “Satan is to blame.”

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and Her SEED; it shall bruise (crush) thy HEAD and thou shalt bruise His heel.” (Gen.3:15)

The Eternal God stated: “Because you have done this unrighteous deed, I have placed enmity between man and snakes. People will loath serpents and hate them. Snakes will crawl on their belly and eat dust because it allowed the Deceiver to enter its body. Lucifer, you will identify with the lowest of the low and be named the great Serpent."l,./

THE DELIVERER'S VIRGIN BIRTH!

In God's judgment of Lucifer, this is the message He communicated: The Deliverer will be born to a woman without a human father. He will be True God from eternity and True Man through His virgin birth; incarnated (God in human flesh) without sin.

He will meet the Demands of Divine Justice to atone for the sins of the world. Through this act of LOVE, He will atone (pay the penalty) for Adam and Eve's treasonous deeds. The shedding of His righteous, sinless blood, and His resurrection from the dead will guarantee forgiveness for members of the human race, who will receive Him!

But, for Lucifer, there will be no peace or redemption. His fate is sealed forever. He is an eternally doomed Despot. The blood of the Deliverer will obliterate his power to dominate Adam's race. In the future, his sins of Pride, Greed and Hatred will fuel his torments.

“Fear will constantly haunt you as you search for clues of the Coming Deliverer. You will seek to destroy Him, but will be unable to do so. Because of His perfect redemption, He will provide total liberty, forgiveness, healing and eternal life for Adam's fallen race!

“In the Final Battle, the Deliverer will CRUSH your head, Lucifer. And you will be cast into the Lake that burns with Fire and Brimstone for ever and ever. Throughout eternity, Lucifer, you will be known as Satan, the Liar, Deceiver, Opposer of all righteousness – an Enemy of God and Man!

“Your name Devil, will identify you as a Liar above all liars, a Swindler, Traducer, and Slanderer. You have earned your titles well; Beelezub means the Master of flies; dirty, filthy flies! You deceived the woman, but the God/Man Who will be born of a Virgin, will lift the heavy burdens from God's children. His pure and perfect blood will be shed for all human beings and will free all who believe on His Name.”

IS YOUR NAME IN THE BOOK OF LIFE?

The Book of Revelation states: “And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone where the Beast and False Prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.

“And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

“And death and Hell were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the Second Death. And whosoever was not written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire.” (Rev. 20: 10 15)

What is the Book of Life? Whose names are recorded in the Book of Life? How does one get his name inscribed into the Book of Life? Are some names blotted out of the Book of Life? Why do many Jews during the Jewish New Year season use this greeting: “May your name be inscribed in the Book of Life?”

After their campaigns, Jesus' disciples were joyous: “And the seventy returned again with joy saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through Thy name.

“And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning FALL from Heaven. Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and NOTHING shall by any means hurt you.

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the (evil) spirits are subject unto you: but rather REJOICE because your names are written in Heaven.” (Luke 10: 18-20)

At the very moment a person is born again by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, his name is inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life. That is the MIRACLE of Christ's redemptive work in our hearts and lives.

In his powerful altar calls at our church in Edmonton, Baptist evangelist Dr. Hyman Appleman used to say: “The recording angel is waiting to inscribe your name into the Book of Life.” Even now, sinner friend, the recording angel waits for your decision to receive Christ as your Saviour, to write your name in that great Book!

PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE!

Jesus stated: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word and believeth on Him that sent Me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

The Bible says: “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Behold, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3: 1,2)

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit.

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth within him, and he in God.” (1 John 4: 12-15),

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of Him. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar because he believeth not the Record that God gave of His Son.

“And this is the record that God hath given to us Eternal Life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye might know that ye have eternal life, and that ye might believe on the name of the Son of God. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given an understanding, that we may know Him that is true and we are in Him that is True, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5: 1, 11-13,20)

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO HEAVEN!

In his letter to former pagans in Corinth, St. Paul the founder of the Church among the Gentiles, declared that Jesus Christ is the Only Saviour and that all other deities or paths to God, Heaven and eternal life, are false. He stated that they will not save you!

“But to us (Believers) there is but One God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we in Him; and One Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we by Him.” (1 Cor. 8: 6). The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. Jesus Christ saves us by His Blood. The Blessed Holy Spirit brings us into the presence the Father.

The Bible says: “For through Him (Jesus Christ) we both (all believers) have access by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) unto the Father.” (Eph. 1:18)

Jesus Christ is the only WAY to God and Heaven! He said: “I am the DOOR, by Me if any man enter in he shall be SAVED, and shall go in and out and find pasture. The thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10: 9,10).

Karl Barth, outstanding European theologian made this powerful claim for Jesus Christ: “The last word which I have to say...is not a term like “grace”, but a name, “Jesus Christ”. He is grace, and He is the last, beyond the world and the Church and even theology...

“What I have been concerned to do in my long life has been increasingly to emphasis this name and to say: There is no salvation in any other name than this. For grace, too, is there. There, too, is the impulse to work, to struggle, and also the impulse towards fellowship, towards human solidarity. Everything that I have tested in my life, in weakness and in foolishness, is there. But it is there.”

JESUS: THE ONLY SAVING NAME!

The angel of God spoke to Joseph in a dream, saying: “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and they shall shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matt. 1:20-23)

JESUS means Saviour: the salvation of God! JESUS means: The God who saves; the God who heals; the God who delivers! The Bible says: “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I unto thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3: 6);

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth his man stand before you whole. “Neither is there SALVATION in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 10, 12).

St. Paul stated: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And be being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth: and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2: 5-11)

JESUS' NAME DRIVES AWAY SATAN!

Many years ago, a Spirit filled Lutheran from southern Saskatchewan shared this amazing testimony. His grandfather, who had been a heavy drinker, was born again and his life was filled with great joy and began attending church regularly. The devil, however, was upset and began tormenting him with demons taunting him and laughing at him. Some people thought that he was just imagining these things.

When he died, these two grandsons, both in their early twenties moved into his cabin. One night they were awakened by a fierce entity growling under their bed. They were so frightened as they huddled together against the wall. Suddenly, my friend remembered their pastor saying that if they were ever confronted by the devil, speak the Name of Jesus. They both cried out, “JESUS, JESUS!”

Instantly, the horrible intruder caused the bed to shake and slammed the door. In the morning, they found the door still locked. The experience caused these two young men to repent and return to faith of Jesus! The Name of Jesus drove the devil away and changed their lives!

About forty years ago in Ontario, a prominent member of the Business Community related a scary encounter he had experienced with the devil, shortly after his conversion. This gentleman was a trucker and owned a summer camp at a nearby lake. On week-ends many of his business friends would gather at the camp for drinking, gambling and

and wild parties.

One day he attended a Gospel Crusade and became an on-fire Christian and began hosting summer camp meetings. He was hauling gravel and stopped at his home for a little lunch and make some telephone calls. His wife and children were at the camp. He was in the kitchen, standing up with the phone in his hand when suddenly the devil appeared in the doorway beckoning him to go for a ride in his truck.

The devil was very tall with a commanding evil presence. This truck driver did not realize since he was a new Christian, that he could have commanded him to leave in Jesus' Name. He knew, however, that if he could get to his bedroom and fall on knees he would be safe by calling upon the Lord. Using all his strength, he dropped the phone and ran for the bedroom and threw himself on his knees and cried out, “JESUS!”, just as he felt the devil's claw make a sweep across his head. And then he was gone! That experience made him pray desperately for the Gift of the Holy Spirit and he became a strong testimony for Jesus and the Church. Praise the Lord!

As my friend told that story, it was so real that you could sense the power of the name of Jesus to protect and free us from Satan's evil and ugly power. That man became a real leader among business people in that area. Hallelujah!

JESUS' BLOOD PURGES THE CONSCIENCE!

The Bible states: “But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

“How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot unto God, PURGE your CONSCIENCE from dead works to serve the living God.

“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 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.” (Heb. 9: 11-14, 24, 28)

In St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews he details the amazing affect the ever living pure and holy BLOOD of the Crucified and Resurrected Jesus Christ has on those who receive Him as Saviour, Lord, Healer and Deliverer:

“But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God... For by one offering He had perfected for ever them that are sanctified...

“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;

“And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” (Heb. 10: 12-24). Amen.