Archeologists believe they have found Bethsaida, a city of Biblical importance. The Roman Empire built their city of Julius over it during the first century A.D, according to the Jewish historian Josephus Flavius. The land, when known as Bethsaida, was home to apostles Andrew, Peter, and Phillip. Jesus spent time here, and even performed the miracle of healing a local blind man.
“Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.” – John 1:44
“And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” – Mark 8:22-26
We have proof of many cities mentioned in the Bible. We have unearthed aqueducts, coins, pottery, and temple remains authenticating Biblical accounts; yet, many people in the world still mock Christians as believers of fairytales. The Bible predicted this.
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.” -2 Timothy 3:1-9
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
The rise of televangelists such as Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, and Joel Osteen shows modern society is not immune to the pitfalls mentioned in the Scripture above. These charlatans use the pulpit to spread false truths such as “Word of Faith Gospel” and “Prosperity Preaching” to millions of followers, eager to believe whatever sounds good; and these folks have become oratorical masters obliged to deliver. The Bible predicted this, too.
While imminent, the return of our Lord, Jesus, has not yet occurred. This means there is still time to speak out against heresy and for truth. It is not just your pastor’s place to do so, it is your’s and it is mine. Ready? Set. Go!
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:6-7
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
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