Gary Varvel essay: Why there are so many religions

Plus how Putin wins and a new movie announcement

Mar 19, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin won 87 percent of the votes in winning his 5th term in office. Perhaps the shirtless dictator will take a page out of our president’s political playbook and punish his opposition.

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COUNTERFEIT RELIGION

As we approach Resurrection Sunday (Easter), I decided to share why I follow Jesus.

Satan, the prince of darkness, also known as the ruler of the kingdom of the air and the father of lies — likes religion so much, that he created many false religions (counterfeits) to deceive people in order to keep them out of heaven. Satan has always wanted to be worshipped. And at the halfway point of the Tribulation period (3.5 years), the antichrist, possessed by Satan, will go into the 3rd Temple (yet to be built) and proclaim that he is god (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The prophet Daniel called this the Abomination of Desolation. (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11).

False religion has a deadly past. Numerous wars have been fought in the name of religion including the current war in the Middle East.

Jesus warned us about this in Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets will appear and deceive many…”

Jesus described them in Matthew 7:15, “Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.”

False prophets/teachers are hard to recognize because many of them appear to be good, moral people. But Jesus said, “you will know them by their fruit” which is what they teach. (Matthew 7:20)

HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE FAKES

All false religions have this in common: They all deny that Jesus Christ is God’s way of saving lost souls because every false religion denies that Jesus Christ is God in human form.

The Bible says, Jesus became a man, died for our sins, was buried, rose back to life and offers eternal life to anyone who repents of their sin and trusts in him.

Colssians 1:15-17, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,¹⁶for through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him.¹⁷He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.”

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” This statement excludes all other ways to God. The false religions recognize Jesus as a teacher, prophet and a way to God. But Jesus said He was the ONLY WAY.

What’s wrong with false teaching? The Bible says, “If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:9)

The Bible also says, “Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.” (1 John 2:22)

CHRISTIANITY’S IMPACT

On the other hand, Biblical Christianity, which is a relationship with Jesus Christ, has greatly benefited society. Most of the universities that were founded 300 years ago in the United States were Bible-believing and evangelical Christian schools. Christian clergymen founded Harvard and Yale (originally Puritan schools) and Princeton (originally a Presbyterian school).

Christians also founded the first hospitals. Throughout the 4th century, hospitals popped up throughout Europe. Just as Jesus healed people during his ministry on earth, the Christian church incorporated medicine as part of its mission movement. In Indianapolis, Methodist, St. Vincent and St. Francis hospitals all began as Christian ministries.

Our Founding Fathers were also greatly influenced by the clergy in their day. In 1926, on the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, President Calvin Coolidge said:

“These thoughts [in the Declaration] can very largely be traced back to what (Rev.) John Wise was writing in 1710. He said, “Every man must be acknowledged equal to every man.” Again, “The end of all good government is to cultivate humanity and promote the happiness of all and the good of every man in all his rights, his life, liberty, estate, honor, and so forth..." His works were reprinted in 1772 and have been declared to have been nothing less than a textbook of liberty for our Revolutionary fathers.”44]

The preaching of Christian pastors George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, William Tennant, Samuel Davies, and many others helped set the colonies aflame spiritually. Their ministries were credited for the First Great Awakening which lasted from 1730-1770.

God blessed America in the past because of our Founders’ faith. But I believe God has abandoned our generation for our unbelief.

In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked, “…who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Who do you say Jesus is?

COMING TO THEATERS IN JULY!

Both of my sons, Brett and Drew are in DISCIPLES IN THE MOONLIGHT movie.

Here is the premise: What if the Bible was illegal in the United States of America? How would you respond? Disciples in the Moonlight explores those questions in an action packed thriller that is coming to theaters this summer!

This film was written by Josh Strychalski, directed by Brett and I was the Production Designer.

I’ll have a lot to say about this powerful movie later. Stay tuned.

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RIGHT VIEWS

Townhall - Katie Pavlich: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson says the 'Most horrible thing I've ever heard' about the First Amendment.

Townhall - Matt Vespa: Netanyahu to Biden: I'm taking Rafah, destroying Hamas, and you can’t do anything about it, old man.

The Federalist - Eddie Scarry: Trump’s ‘Bloodbath’ is the fake news media’s latest hysterics over ‘Guy’ and ‘Sir.’

Townhall - Brad Slager: Collective lies on Trump’s ‘Bloodbath’ quote is further proof of media collusion - The question is ‘Why?’

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HUMOR ME: Fix my cartoon with a snarky remark. Email your entries to gary@garyvarvel.com. Winners announced in Friday’s newsletter for paid subscribers.

Gary Varvel essay: Why there are so many religions

Plus how Putin wins and a new movie announcement

Be sure to click the like button. It helps me reach more people.

COUNTERFEIT RELIGION

As we approach Resurrection Sunday (Easter), I decided to share why I follow Jesus.

COMING TO THEATERS IN JULY!

RIGHT VIEWS

Be sure to click the like button. It helps me reach more people.

HUMOR ME

My Israel essay series:

My essay series on America’s spiritual war:

My Series of Essays on God’s Timeline

Support my work by visiting my online store at garyvarvel.com/store

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