Jesus the Destroyer

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Jesus, the Destroyer

 

Let’s start our lesson today with a look at a passage from Jeremiah the prophet. 

Jeremiah 1: 9 - 11

 

In this passage, we see that Jeremiah was in a position to destroy and then to build. This was by way of God’s message. The principle being taught here is that before something can be rebuilt, it must first be demolished. Ultimately, Jesus wants to rebuild our lives.

II Corinthians 5: 17

 

However, before He can do that, there are some things that must be destroyed. Before Jesus can be our Savior, He has to be our destroyer. Today we are going to look at some of the things that were destroyed by Jesus. 

 

First, Jesus destroyed a rebellious nation. God had built the nation of Israel. He expected them to bear fruit for Him. They failed, so God destroyed them. 

Mark 12: 1 - 11

 

Notice in this reading that after God destroyed the evil tenants, He gave the vineyard to others. This was what happened after He allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem and Israel. Ultimately, this is a prophecy that the destruction of Jerusalem, which came about in AD 70, would serve to place the emphasis on His new nation, the Church. The destruction of Jerusalem also serves as an example of the final judgment. 

Matthew 22: 1 - 14

 

Jesus also destroys human wisdom. God used the message of the cross to destroy the wisdom of the wise.

I Corinthians 1: 18 - 21

 

The message of the cross has the power to destroy all human wisdom. It destroys atheism, secularism, humanism, and any other false doctrines that are embraced by humanity. Once human wisdom has been destroyed, we can begin to rebuild with God’s Divine wisdom. That is because the more we grasp Divine Truth through studying the Bible, the less appealing human wisdom becomes. 

 

Jesus destroys the works of Satan. John tells us that He would destroy the works of the devil. 

I John 3: 8

 

This was accomplished by His death on the cross.

Hebrews 2: 14 - 15

 

The ultimate goal here was to rebuild our lives in God’s image.

Colossians 3: 8 - 10

 

To do that, the fly in the ointment had to be removed. That fly was Satan and his influence over us. 

 

Jesus will destroy temporal existence. Paul spoke of how God would destroy our physical existence. 

I Corinthians 6: 13

 

We are told that the entire physical universe is destined to be completely destroyed on some future day.

II Peter 3: 10 - 13

 

Keeping with our theme, before we can move on to our new homes in Heaven, this temporary home must be destroyed. That is why there is no gain in falling in love with this temporal and temporary home in which we are in. 

Matthew 13: 22

I John 2: 15

 

Jesus will destroy the disobedient.

II Thessalonians 1: 5 - 10

 

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the One with the power to save and to destroy.

James 4: 12

 

This coming destruction is after physical death, and is much worse than physical death.

Matthew 10: 28

 

Before God can create a Heavenly paradise, He must destroy what hinders it. Just as Hell is the absence of God, Heaven is the presence of God. Life on Earth will be as close to Heaven as the disobedient will get. Life on Earth will be as close to Hell as His obedient children will ever experience. 

 

Hopefully now everyone can see why I referred to Jesus as the destroyer at the first of the lesson. Before He can rebuild our lives in any meaningful way, He must first destroy some things. It’s like that old saying that you have to break a few eggs before you can make an omelette. Jesus will have to destroy some things before He can remake our lives in His image.