"...who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame." (Hebrews 12:2b).

When Jesus Christ came to earth two thousand years ago, the people had very little understanding of what was transpiring.  Some looked to him to bring Israel immediate governmental release from Rome.  Others followed him because of the miracles he performed.  But it was John the Baptist who heralded it best: "[Behold,] the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29b).

You see—a new age had dawned. God sent His Son into the world to save and deliver us from our sins, to reconcile us to Himself, and to open a new way for us to live our lives in union with Him.  Jesus came to bring a renaissance--a rebirth!

But for the religious leaders of that time, they didn't see Jesus bringing a renaissance--they saw him leading a revolution!  They hated him and plotted his death.  His message of forgiveness, freedom, and grace found no place in their theology.  His message of love found no place in their hearts.

For Satan, there was no greater threat than Jesus.  The freedom that Jesus was bringing to the world was a revolt against the slavery with which Satan was imprisoning mankind.  Something had to give. Something did give...and it was Jesus!  In the ultimate victory in history, His great love for us all compelled him to lay down his life, and to be crucified unjustly upon the torturous cross.

For many, the "revolt" was now over.  Death had silenced its leader. The rebirth that so many were hoping for had seemingly vanished.  But through His own great glorious power, God raised His Son Jesus from the dead!  Life had indeed conquered death!

The cross..."Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends..." (John 15:13).

The cross..."having disarmed the powers and authorities [Satan], he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:15).

The cross..."having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:14).

Jesus paid a great price--dying for our sins.  But He died for more than this.  He also died so that we would serve God, "...in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." (Romans 7:6c).  The old way was to find out what the written code (law) said, and then to do it.  It focused on outward behavior, but not the motives of the heart.  The new way is to live in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and to respond to His grace, love, and promptings within us--"because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2).

The cross is where love’s greatest expression was embodied.  The cross is where Satan was defeated and disarmed.  And the cross is where the law is exchanged for grace.  "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." (Romans 6:14).  And, "Christ is the end of the law..." (Romans 10:4a).

Make no mistake: the cross was and is both a renaissance and a revolution! 

And now the time has come.  The consummation of this age is at hand, and the final stage of the battle awaits us.  It is time to complete what Jesus started 2000 years ago.  A "new" renaissance and revolution is here, yet it is simply a continuation of what Jesus Himself already started.  In this great encounter with God and His advancing kingdom, many things shall occur--yet they will work together as one:

Freedom of expression will be re-birthed as well.  God will use all types of avenues to communicate with us.  Ministry through the arts, music, dance and other forms of creative expression will greatly increase.  Technology will be a mandatory tool for this spiritual battle.  We must use it wisely, and to the greatest extent possible.

Know with certainty that today, (Easter 2001—April 15) the declaration of our freedom in Christ Jesus has been decreed from the throne of God!  The Renaissance and Revolution have now begun!!

This is not a fight against people, governments, or any other human institution.  The enemy is Satan, and it is he and his wicked realm that we are fighting.

Fight with grace.  Fight with love.  Fight with truth.
Fight with Jesus.  Fight that others may be set free.
Fight until the end.

"They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." (Revelation 12:11).

"Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.  It shall be a jubilee for you..." (Leviticus 25:10a).

"The children are coming!!  The children are coming!!"

"The Spirit and bride say, ‘Come!’" (Revelation 22:17a).

All Scripture verses taken from the NIV.