Satan would have succeeded beyond his master plan by destroying everything God had created.

If Christ be not raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:19) we are of all men most miserable.

What if Jesus hadn’t made it?  The MAN Jesus, suffering dehydration, severe blood-loss, agonizing pain - - offering up prayers with strong crying (Hebrews 5:7) what if He hadn’t lived long enough to utter those glorious words that have resounded through all the centuries of mankind, backward and forward to the cross “IT IS FINISHED” - - what if?  Have you ever tried to imagine our world with no Jesus?

Do you take pain medication?  There would be none.  Do you have a family doctor? - - No doctors.  Have you had to go to a hospital?  Hospitals were started by Christians and since there would be no Christians – no hospitals.  The only temporary relief from physical pain would be dangerous drugs sold at exorbitant prices by wicked dealers.  When you could no longer steal, murder or cheat enough to buy the drugs, the intolerable craving would drive you completely mad.

Bands of marauders would regularly invade your district to rob, wound and murder.  There would be no order, no police, no law courts, no justice, no accountability.  Anyone with enough power and evil cohorts, could set himself up as absolute dictator over you and your possessions.  The Ungolden Rule would be to do unto others anything you could to get what you want.

Schools also were started by Christians so, of course no education.  Employment opportunities would exist only where exploitation and greed were masters.  You would be paid (or maybe not) according to your co-operation with wickedness.

Greed and unconcern for the environment would have done away with any hope of clean air.  Everybody would be coughing and lung disease rampant.  The food supply would be continually diminished but rats increased by millions.  People would fight to the death over food, drugs and children to rape.  Perversion such as we could not imagine would kill thousands by disease.

There would be no love, no concern and no pity for anyone.  There would be no stable families and no safe places.  Children from earliest years filled with hate and rage.  Consciences totally seared – no right and wrong - - only wrong.

More disease, famine, increasing human weakness plus multiple murders take a toll on the population.  Gradually and then more rapidly, we would kill ourselves off and destroy our planet.

Would death bring relief - - a welcome end to lives lived with brutality, cruelty, intense pain - - and NO HOPE?  No, it would only get worse.  Satan would not be hurled into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10) – we would, for eternal torment.

 

In such a world demonic activity would be prevalent, fueling filth and vileness.  Human hearts would be filled with only evil continually.  Satan would have succeeded beyond his master plan by destroying everything God had created.

This is just a tiny picture of this world without Jesus.  If He had faltered, given up and the human Jesus had ended in physical death - - What if?

 BUT

 

Now (1 Corinthians 15:20) Christ is risen and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:10).  How can it be that the majority of people on Planet earth will reject God’s offer of grace and mercy?  There is no escape if we neglect so great salvation (Hebrews 2:3).  Could this be part of the reason Jesus wept (Luke 19:41) on Palm Sunday while the people celebrated?  He was not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) and rivers of mercy are flowing out from His wounded side.

Do we even begin to grasp all that God has done for us through the Lord Jesus Christ?  Do we even begin to grasp the overwhelming debt of gratitude, love and surrender we owe Him?

 

                         Redemption ground – oh ground of peace

Redemption ground – it’s all of grace

Then let our praise to God abound

Who saves us on REDEMPTION GROUND

LET JESUS CHRIST BE PRAISED

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, honour and power (Revelation 4:9, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:13) for thou hast redeemed us to God by Thy Blood, blessing, honour, glory and power unto Him Who sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever.

Death has lost and Life has won because wonderful, triumphant, never-failing Jesus is Victor and Lord of all.

Do we begin to fathom HIS gift to us of the glory of our obedience to the King of all Kings.

 

            Think!  Obedience - - hard road or privilege?