STRIKING THE SHEPHERD
John tells us that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). One of the many valid proofs that Jesus is the Son of God is His fulfilling of prophecy by the life He lived and the Words that came from Him. His life was no accident nor were the events of His life an accident. It was a plan set forth by God before the world began (Titus 1:2). It was carried out by the determined council of God and His foreknowledge (Acts 2:23). One who engages in a study of specific prophecies and then come to the life of Jesus would be forced to admit, this Man was, indeed, the Son of God.
One such prophecy is found in Zechariah 13:7-9. It declares that at some future date the Shepherd would be smitten and the sheep scattered (verse 7). This agrees with the prophecy of Isaiah declaring that by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). In point of fact, Zechariah opens this chapter the book by revealing that in the last days a fountain would be opened up for sin and uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1). Jesus then had to be rejected as per the plan of God (Isaiah 53:3). His death could not occur unless He was rejected by those who were His own, that is the Jews (John 1:11). His death fulfilled this prophecy by Zechariah as well as the one noted by Moses in the early part of the book of Genesis (Genesis 3:15).
Zechariah continues to explain that 2/3 would be destroyed but 1/3 would survive the trial by fire and survive (Zechariah 13:8,9). It was just another way of saying that there would be a remnant that would remain faithful to God. Jesus taught us that before the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, that iniquity would be on the increase. Because of this, the love of many would wax cold (Matthew 24:12). Jesus follows this in the next verse by telling us that those who endure will be saved. Since the idea is that love would wax cold, this must have reference to those who were Christians but allowed their love to die as the popularity of iniquity began to increase (Revelation 2:4). In the face of all the trials God always has a remnant, no matter how small, who will remain faithful.
Let us now move to more modern times and understand where the battles lines are being formed. Politicians are often swayed by personal interest type groups. These groups through the news media or press get their point across. The politician then concerned about votes begins to think that everybody in America must be thinking this way. He then casts his vote to appease these groups thinking they represent the bulk of American thought. See the real battle lines. It is the same game of “striking the Shepherd”.
The politician claims he is not opposed to religion. He just does not want anyone to make a national religion in which everyone is forced to be a part of. In that spirit then the politician claims we cannot have a prayer in state houses where the name of Jesus Christ concludes the prayer. The politician points to the idea we must have separation of church and state. Be honest with me if you will. Which is a greater danger to our country, the invoking of the name of Jesus Christ in a prayer or the invoking of man as the center of the universe as currently taught in all public education? A politician closes a prayer in the name of Jesus the Christ. Upon such an act is the nation in danger of becoming a nation controlled by the religion of Jesus the Christ?
Here for example is a politician who believes that gambling is a good thing to support our economy. He votes for a state lottery and lobbies for casinos. Here in Indiana we have all of this. Are our schools better because of all this funding from gambling interest? If they are, considering all the years we have had the state lottery, why are the test scores of our children not soaring through the roof? The reality is that a good report via the newspaper is that the scores are improving. Improving over what, I ask? We have had all this gambling money, so where is the good side that shows a better child graduating from high school?
Did you not know that the religion of humanism, that is man as god, is the current state run, state funded educational system that children must go through? What happens when precious children go through the system? They come out believing that what you want is vital because man is god. It is not what you are but what you want that signals greatness under our present system.
So who do you think is afraid of state run religion? Why not be honest? It is not state run religion but the religion of Jesus the Christ that scares politicians. You see that religion would not allow your state lotteries, casinos, abortions and the lifting up of lifestyles contrary to good morals.