There exists a restlessness throughout the world, and presently, some two hundred hot-spots have erupted into violence and civil war. Scripture states that … “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matt 24:6-7 NIV).

Declaring the judgment of God on evil and wickedness is never a popular subject that the unbelieving world wishes to hear or acknowledge. Its refusal of Truth and defiance toward God does not change the fact that … “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it” (Jer 17:9 NKJV).

The Psalmist asked the question … “Why do the nations conspire [rage] and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters” (Ps 2:1-3 NIV). Mankind, falling into the footsteps of the Deceiver, hurls his rebukes against the Christ, the Prince of peace. Therefore, the Psalmist continues … “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Ps 2:4-6 NIV).

Man’s rebellion against God’s chosen One, the Lord Jesus Christ, found its origin in the Garden. Recall that Satan posed the question to Eve … “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’” (Gen 3:1 NIV). Thus, the pattern of man’s negative response to God’s Truth became imbedded in them, their progeny and all mankind. Man had acquired a sin nature. If left on its own, the human race would self-destruct. Only divine judgment against sin could remedy the hopeless spiritual condition of the human race. God Himself would have to provide a Savior.

Unyielding in his hatred of God, Satan, though knowing his defeat was sure, would attempt to use the very nation that God created to bring Messiah into the world as his tool to prevent the redemptive plan of salvation from becoming a reality. Isaiah foretold the attitude of the nation that would result in the crucifixion of Christ. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isa 53:3 NIV).

Greater than the physical pain and brutal suffering imposed by Rome in Satan’s attempt to kill God’s Anointed One before salvation could be accomplished, was the Father’s spiritual judgment for sin on the humanity of Christ. No power, human or demonic, could take the life of the Savior for Jesus had declared … “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:17-18 NIV).

In those three hours of darkness that surrounded the Cross, Christ would bear the sins of each individual of the human race. The spiritual agony which He bore was prophetically penned by David … “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent” (Ps 22:1-2 NIV). He was forsaken on our behalf, but after those three hours …

Jesus said … “It is finished” (John 19:30b NIV). David closed his Psalm with a cry of victory …

“Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn — for he has done it” (Ps 22:30-31) NIV).