An Open Letter to Outsiders and Elon Musk :: By Jim Towers

Having met and worked with some of the most famous people on the planet and having been in ministry for over forty years, I feel well qualified to call out my fellow artists and other outsiders for whom I have love and sympathy. As much as I don’t condone some of their grievous folly and outright sin, hopefully, these people will heed the call of God in their lives and avoid the great tribulation that is about to befall the world when many will be hungry and afraid.

My heart goes out to you all – as even now, we are all beginning to be troubled about the future of our country and humanity at large.

Just so you know, my personal story begins like this: (The whole 240-page story is told in my book titled Miracles, Signs, and Wonders.)

Years ago, I repented of my foolish lifestyle and received Christ’s forgiveness in a dark forest at night – by moonlight. I didn’t even know what I was doing – I just cried out to God in desperation because of the collapse of my marriage and the eventual loss of two very young, beloved children. “God, if you are real, please reveal yourself to me. I’m sorry for having lived the way I have…. Jesus, HELP ME! After collapsing in a heap, I felt the heavy burden of sin lifting off me.

Afterward, I finally slept that night for the first time in a long time. The next day while at work, I felt a warm stirring in my stomach as if water was gurgling up and giving me a sense of contentment. Not understanding what was happening, I stopped into a small, empty church after work looking for a Bible and miraculously found one. Unfamiliar with it, I opened it randomly, and my eyes fell on this verse: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” So from that moment on, I’ve been an outspoken evangelical – never doubting that I had been “born again.”

Little did I know that this was a rare phenomenon since, in those days, Pentecostal preachers were even claiming to raise the dead.

Nevertheless, I became a Baptist because of their study and adherence to scripture. (Not so much anymore, because in these days of apostasy, we need to be careful where and what we learn and adhere to. However, anyone can ask for the Holy Spirit to help them understand the Word of God, and He will do it.) Today I adhere to scripture alone, read it daily, and have memorized many scripture verses.

In any case, this conversion altered my lifestyle and opened doors that I never thought were possible. So, since I loved to do artwork, my new Christian wife and I headed south to Florida, where I had aspired to become a professional artist.

The Ringling school of art had just begun the new semester, so I was too late to enroll. On that same stretch of road, I spied a sign declaring open auditions for the new season at the Sarasota Community theatre. The play was Take my Wife. With nothing better to do, I went inside to audition on a lark, having had one semester of drama in high school. Low and behold, I got the part of a Jewish playboy doctor, Dr. Roth. Charles Livingston portrayed my father in the play. I soon found out he was the former director of the Lone Ranger series – first on radio – then on television. He was the one to urge me to study drama at the University of Miami, saying, “I think you’ve got what it takes to be a professional actor.” So off we go.

Incidentally, I worked as a Portrait artist on Miami Beach at the Fontainebleau while I was being tutored by Ladislou Vaida, the head of the drama department at the U of M. That was over forty years ago, during which I snagged my first TV commercial – the first time auditioning. I also snagged my Screen Actors Guild card at the same time! God was truly working in my life, and I give Him all the credit and glory.

I loved going to Saturday matinees at the Plaza Theatre for ten cents with enough left over for popcorn and candy. Hopalong Cassidy and the Lone Ranger were my favorites. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would meet and work with movie stars, famous directors, and screenwriters.

Please don’t throw caution to the wind like Elon Musk recently did – eternity in heaven or hell is a very long time.

Mr. Musk recently tweeted to his accuser, writing this message about hell in response: “Thank you for the blessing, but I’m ok with going to hell, if that is indeed my destination, since the vast majority of all humans ever born will be there.”

To Mr. Musk and other celebrities, I would tell this little story.

There was a very wealthy man who snubbed his creator God and imagined himself to be far above all other kings who preceded him. His name was Belshazzar. One day as he was feasting and partying with the utensils and drinking wine from the golden cups taken from the Temple of God, he and party-goers dropped their food and drinks in absolute shock as a huge, dismembered hand wrote on the wall above their heads that wrote silently, “Mene, Mene, Tekel Upharsin.”

Daniel, the prophet of God, interpreted the words, which held the party goers in terror and no one else could interpret. He said, “This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting” (Daniel 5:26-27). Immediately he lost everything – even his life.

Belshazzar should have known better; his father was put out to pasture when he defied God. Nebuchadnezzar immediately lost his mind and spent seven years eating grass like a cow. His nails grew to become like claws, and his hair grew long and covered his face. In other words, he had lost his mind.

We should all be careful not to provoke (our creator) God to anger.

God has, in essence, let us get away with murder, sexual perversion, and all sorts of criminality. But the day is coming, and soon, when he will pass judgment on the world. Then it won’t matter how powerful, famous, intelligent, talented, or wealthy you are.

In telling that story, I can’t help but think of the many actors and actresses I’ve worked with who fit that description. They have power, money, and fame, but their lives are devoid of meaning. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll just don’t cut it. Dear actors and other outsiders, please consider repenting of your indifference to God – asking His forgiveness and asking to receive Christ into your heart and life.

Today, while in retirement, I write – mostly screenplays with the hope of getting my movie about the end times on the big screen and with time running out. (The beginning of the tribulation period is almost here.) I want to sound the alarm, and I am currently seeking producers to help me do so. People willing to lock arms with me on this venture can contact me at the email address below for more information and a synopsis (outline).

YBIC

Jim Towers

Write me at jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com or visit me at www.dropzonedelta.com and visit my website www.propheticsignsandwonders.com.

The Greatest Words Jesus Ever Said :: By Dr. Donald Whitchard

John 19:28-37, Revelation 22:20, Luke 22:41-42, Isaiah 53:4-6, John 14:6, Acts 4:12

Summary: There have been figures throughout history who have had a way with words that have changed lives as well as the destinies of nations. However, the three words Jesus said from the cross – “It is Finished!” – gave humanity freedom and forgiveness from sin forever.

There have been people who, throughout the progression of civilization, have had a way with words and seem to possess a unique grasp of language. They have an eloquence of speech, saying things that are deeply profound. The Lord Jesus was just such a person. Throughout the years of His recorded ministry (John 20:30-31, 21:25), one thing about Him that kept the people’s attention was His ability to say things in a manner that had never been said before. All one has to do is read through the Gospels and see that this is proven beyond question.

At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, the apostle Matthew wrote that the people were astonished at His doctrine because He had taught the Scriptures with “power and authority” (Matthew 7:28-29). Luke wrote that the people who heard Jesus teach were amazed at the power of His words (Luke 4:22). This authority was even seen by His enemies as a demonstration of power they had never encountered (John 7:46). Look for yourself and read verses such as John 8:58, 10:30, 14:1-3, 9, and Revelation 22:20 to see that our LORD’s words are a treasure of theological truth and give us an understanding of just Who He is. He is no sage, guru, or mere teacher of noble acts but is God Almighty in the flesh. There is no room or need for any other speculation.

Upon the cross, in His final moments of life, having undergone an agony and torment that no ordinary man in his own strength could ever endure, is where He says the words that summarize His entire reason for coming to this world – “IT IS FINISHED!” (John 19:30). This was no cry of defeat and despair but of victory. The sin debt we possess was fully and completely paid for courtesy of God Almighty, who graciously and lovingly provided us the Perfect and Sinless sacrifice for sin that we could never hope to present or perform in our corrupt and reprobate condition (Isaiah 45:11; Ephesians 2:8-9).

The pain that the Lamb of God endured on our behalf was done for you and me (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:26-30, 38; Luke 22:63-64; John 20:25), and in no way even begins to scratch the surface of the suffering He endured for us. He willingly drank the bitter cup (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1) that had the poison of our iniquities (Isaiah 53:6) within it.

When He was on that cross, He literally became the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21). God the Father, who does not tolerate sin, judged His own Son as if He were every sinner who ever lived, which in and of itself was the greatest agony that Jesus was ever forced to endure. For the first time ever, a gulf existed between Him and the Father. The Savior literally experienced every person’s death and hell while on that cross.

Stop for a moment and let that sink in. You and I should have been on that cross to endure the pain, agony, and certain judgment we deserve for our sins and the wretchedness of our character that would have sent us to a real and horrid eternal hell. Save for the intervention of our Creator in an act of love and compassion we do not deserve, He graciously offers us this act of wondrous mercy.

When the Lord Jesus reached the end of His ministry on the cross, He finished a work that had begun before the formation of the world (Revelation 13:8). From the beginning of time, God had always planned to send His Son to the cross to die for sinners. This promise was made to Adam and Eve in the Garden after they sinned (Genesis 3:15). This was shown in the offerings and sacrifices that were done first in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. The necessity of a blood sacrifice to atone for sin was seen first in the act of Abel (Genesis 4:4) when he brought a lamb to be offered. After the flood, Noah presented a sacrifice to the LORD as a thanksgiving for sparing them by means of the ark (Genesis 8:20-22) and a promise from God never to destroy the earth with a flood again.

As the nation of Israel was preparing to leave Egypt, God instructed Moses and the people to celebrate this act of freedom by establishing the Passover and the sacrifice of a lamb (Exodus 12). When Israel entered the Promised Land and settled it, the act of blood atonement continued for centuries as a representation of God’s forgiveness of both their personal and national sins. However, this act of atonement had to be continual since we continually sin, and the rivers of blood from lambs, goats, and other animals could not continue. There had to be a final and complete act of sacrifice that would atone for the sins of not just God’s chosen people but for all people both then and now.

The faithful remnant of Israel looked forward to the Promised “Messiah,” who would fulfill the words of the prophets and be that final act of atonement required from God.

The sacrifices we read of in the Old Testament did nothing to remove the sins of the people once and for all. It was the death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross that dealt with the sin issue forever! (Hebrews 9:12-14, 10:10-14). The cross was not a fluke of history or something which caught God off guard. It was preconceived before this universe ever came into existence, and the forces of evil would not be able to stop it (1 Corinthians 2:7-9; Ephesians 1:4).

Because of the cross and those words uttered from the Savior -“IT IS FINISHED!” – no other work needs to be done, improved upon, or added. It is not “Jesus and,” or “Jesus along with” or Jesus plus.” The act of redemption was complete on that cross, period. We do not need to add rituals, objects, penances, journeys, or anything else, as is the tradition and thinking of fallen humanity.

We do not need to wonder if there is another way or direction along with what Jesus Christ declared (John 14:6). The Sovereign of the Universe provides only ONE way by which we may be saved (Acts 4:12). That in itself is a finished and non-negotiable declaration that we dare not challenge or dispute. The work of Jesus Christ should bring us to our knees and even hide our face before Him who is holy, righteous, majestic, and loving. We are undeserving of this wonderful mercy and grace. There is nothing preventing you from coming to Him and surrendering your life to Him, receiving the forgiveness and loving embrace He willingly provides (Matthew 11:28-30). Your sins have been atoned for, and you are free from the grip of sin, death, and hell.

When He said, IT IS FINISHED,” it was a done deal, and for that, we say, “Great is the LORD” Amen.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

My book The Scope of Biblical Prophecy is now available at: www.parsonsporch.com. It is a general look at the role and importance of Bible prophecy, the importance of correct interpretation of the Scriptures, the varied ways of how the last days events are to occur, and that in the end, Jesus wins.

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Donald was born and reared in the authentic “Cajun Country” of southern Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A. in History Education/ Biblical Studies, 1984), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. In Christian Education, 1994), and Andersonville Baptist Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, Biblical Exposition, 2000). He has been in the Gospel ministry since 1986, serving as an evangelist, interim and supply pastor, hospital and rescue mission chaplain, high school and college teacher, and pastor in churches in Louisiana and Oklahoma.

In 2018, he began to devote his time to the rich field of internet and social media evangelism and outreach. In 2021 he became a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, using his skills as a writer to contribute articles and sermons to websites such as Rapture Ready, Sermon Central, and Inspirational Christian Blogs. He also writes Bible studies and curricula for churches in southeast and central Asia and Africa, the locations of which are anonymous. He can be contacted at: donaldwhitchard@gmail.com for inquiries, information, and speaking/preaching engagements. A copy of his resume is also available upon request.