Introduction | The First Conflict | Jesus, The Big Deal | Big Deal 2
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream | Dream of 4 Beasts

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"The Revelation of Jesus Christ", Revelation 1:1.

Often, Christians are viewed as elitists do to their insistence on people accepting Christ as the only source of salvation. Why, say the opponents of Christianity does it have to be their way or the highway? If we are going to get to the heart of the situation to determine why this is, we must take off all the masks and speak plainly and openly. Lets start off by talking about the one point that separates Christianity from every other religion known to man. Without exception, there is one fundamental belief that is found in the religions of the world, the idea that man is inherently good and that it is by our deeds we are saved.

Here lies the problem. Christianity is the only religion that does not advocate this line of thought. Even modern Judaism teaches that it is by our works that we earn our right to enter the gates of Heaven. This thinking is extremely dangerous because of the assumption that humanity is born with a nature that loves righteousness. As we discussed in Jesus, the Big Deal part 1, the Bible takes the opposite approach.

In the holy Scriptures, we are told "You will revolt more and more. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores; they have not been closed or bound up, or soothed with ointment", Isaiah 1:5,6. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?", Jeremiah 17:9. After quoting several old testament texts, Paul concludes by exclaiming "for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God", Romans 3:23.

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As we search for truth, we come face to face with a decision. Is the claim that we are inherently evil true or false? If it is true, then we are faced with another question. How does one who is inherently evil, produce the fruits of righteousness? The answer is the separating line between Christianity and every other religion known to man. Only Christianity teaches that man must look outside of himself for salvation. If this is true, than there is no other way to be saved.

There is one thing we must make clear at this point. The prophet John saw "a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes". This same group exclaims, "You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation", Revelation 7:9; 5:9. The white robes they are wearing represent the righteousness of Christ (read Rev. 7:14).

The reason I bring out these texts is twofold. First, it is to remind those of us who claim the name of Christ that we are not to look upon ourselves as superior to others that have not embraced our beliefs. The second reason is to make it perfectly clear that God has his faithful children in every land, among every people, and worshiping in virtually every religion. This does not negate our belief as Christians that there is only one Savior and Lord by any means. On the same note, however, we must keep in mind that although we can only be saved by the blood of the Lamb, there are many that live consistantly with their conscience and are faithful to all that they know and believe to be true. These, too, will be among that "great multitude that no one could number".