The Fingerprints of God
Where Did It All Begin?
It is my belief that the spiritual world does exist and I obviously hold to a monotheistic faith. Trying to wrap my mind around the complexities of polytheism and how multiple gods inhabit the spiritual dimension seems awkward to say the least.
That being said, I want to point out that the Bible states that human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). He has created mankind with the instinct to look up and worship. A quick Google search will reveal that there are possibly more than 4000 world religions. It is clear that we are wired to worship. And for those who don’t look up, worship occurs in other ways. Some of us worship money, power, famous people, and some may even worship themselves. It is an inescapable part of our humanity. Those who deny it are likely those who have placed themselves on the throne!
The Evidence Is In Creation
So if there is an all loving God that created this universe and everything in it, and we are the object of His love and attention (1 John 3:1, Luke 12:6-7, Psalm 139:13-17), would we who are made in His image (Genesis 1:27) not be given enough evidence to sort through it all and arrive at a sound conclusion as to the identity of who God is?
I would argue that the Sovereign of the universe has left His unique fingerprints on creation…
Jesus' Disciples Claimed He Was God.
The apostle John had a clear message to fellow believers which he himself had great conviction over. Jesus Christ (the Living Word) was God incarnate.
John 1:1
John 1:14
John 20:26-28
Jesus Himself Claimed He Was God.
Jesus could not have made clearer reference to his equality with God.
John 8:53-59
John 10:30
The Resurrection
The body/bones of Jesus were never found. There is also a clear historical record that He was seen by about 500 people after the crucifixion.
1 Corinthians 15:13-15
John 20:11-18
1 Corinthians 15:6
The Gregorian Calendar
Jesus, no doubt, was a person of interest. The label on the Julian and Gregorian calendars use the term Anno Domini (AD), meaning “the year of the Lord.” No other religious leader has ever had society mark time by their life!
What other religious figure had such an impact on world history?
Bible Prophecy
Continue below to Prophecy About Jesus Christ.
Blasphemy and Persecution
What other religious prophet has their name as the center of curse words more than Christ? What world religion is the most persecuted worldwide, while all others get a pass? Why might this be? Perhaps true darkness rises up against true Light!
Is Christianity Different?
As you examine some of the following claims, you may be able to say “you cannot prove that,” and I might agree. But many of these claims are part of what sets Christianity apart from other world religions. God never promised us concrete proof of His existence. He wants us to have faith in Him on His terms, not on a myriad of ours.
Here are some reasons why I believe it is reasonable to start with Christ, and to stick with Him!
How does Christianity stand out amongst other religions?
Jesus Was Sinless.
What other religion has a prophet/messenger that was known for being sinless?
2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus Was Born of a Virgin.
In the eyes of the secular world, this claim is lunacy. Yet an all-powerful God who brought the universe into existence and created us from dust is capable of such a thing. Would you dare to believe this?
Isaiah 7:14
Jesus' Performed Miracles.
Raising the dead, feeding the 5000 (just to mention two of these miracles).
Jesus died in 33 AD, and much of the New Testament (NT) was written within 30-40 years of His death. If scriptures such as these were not true, those who were still alive at the time that the NT letters came around would likely have protested such false claims.
The Jews especially would have had record of such inaccuracies, as it would support their claims that He was a mere man and not the messiah, sent from God. Yet there is no such record in Jewish literature.
John 11:38-44
Matthew 14:15-21
Our Salvation Is Not Based on Performance,
But on God’s Grace
Is there one true religion that clearly stands out from all other religions? Mankind is made in God’s image and we are wired to worship. What then is the single most common characteristic of manmade religions? How is Christianity different?
All manmade religions are works based. They all will have some kind of path to heaven paved by doing good works (giving, helping a neighbor, confessing to a priest, getting baptized). In manmade religions, we earn salvation by being good and doing good.
Yet Jesus simply said “come.” There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation in the Christian faith. We simply believe in the death and resurrection of Christ and trust in Him alone for our salvation, and we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
We don’t clean up first and then come to Jesus. He accepts us as we are.
(Matt 11:27-30)
The evidence of a true conversion will be a changed life.
(Ephesians 4:24)
This video from Living Waters explains why sin is still so prevalent within the Church today.
Are our churches really filled with true believers?
Prophecy About Jesus Christ
ISAIAH 53: The Suffering Servant
53 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For He grew up before Him like a tender [a]shoot, And like a root out of parched ground;
He has no stately form or majesty. (a simple carpenter with no status)
That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should [b]be attracted to Him.
3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of [c]sorrows and acquainted with [d]grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely our [e]griefs He Himself bore, And our [f]sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But He was [h]pierced through for our transgressions, (John 19:31-37)
He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our [i]well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed. (John 19:1-3, Acts 22:25)
6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to [j]fall on Him.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; (Matt 26:63, Matt 27:12)
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away;
And as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the [k]living (Matt 27:46)
For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due?
9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, (Luke 23:32)
Yet He was with a rich man in His death, (Matt 27: 57-60)
Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth.
10 But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, [l]putting Him to grief;
If [m]He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His [n]offspring,
He will prolong His days, And the [o]good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand.
11 As a result of the [p]anguish of His soul, He will see [q]it and be satisfied;
By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, (Romans 5:9, Romans 4:25)
As He will bear their iniquities.12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,
And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out [r]Himself to death,
And was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors.
DANIEL 9:26: The Messiah Will Be Cut Off
And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
PSALM 22: Why Have You Forsaken Me?
22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matt 27:46)
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, (Jesus was not delivered/spared)
and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises[a] of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people. (Matt 27:39)
7 All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; (Matt 27:41-43)
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
12 Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me; (Romans at the foot of the cross)
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws; (John 19:28-29)
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet[b]— (Luke 24:39)
17 I can count all my bones— (John 19:33)
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them, (John 19:23-24)
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued[c] me from the horns of the wild oxen!
22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
but has heard, when he cried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted[d] shall eat and be satisfied; (John 6:35)
those who seek him shall praise the Lord! (Romans 10:9-12)
May your hearts live forever! (John 3:16, Romans 10:13, 1 John 2:25)
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it.
MICAH 5:2: The Ruler To Be Born in Bethlehem
5 [a] Now muster your troops, O daughter[b] of troops;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
on the cheek.
2 [c] But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me (John 7:42, Matthew 2:1)
one who is to be ruler in Israel, (Matthew 2:6)
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.