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God Made Manifest

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. (I Peter 1:20-21)

          Ever feel like bursting into an anthem? These verses deserve one. Think about it. It was all planned before the creation of the world. He would come as proof of God. Because of Him, we can believe in God. Because of the resurrection and ascension, we have evidence, so our faith and our hope in God is well founded.
        Atheists have said repeatedly that if God exists, He should manifest Himself to them, and then they'd believe. Usually, they come up with come humiliating requirements for their manifestation. As I recall, one suggested that a fifty foot tall Charlton Heston should appear. I don't recall where the appearance was to be or what it was to do. The other demands are about as silly.
       I've asked them what would happen ten to sixty seconds after the manifestation disappeared, or for that matter the same time period after it appeared. Would they not decide that it was a hallucination? Wouldn't they conclude that it was temporary insanity? Would they not require repeated manifestations, each more ridiculous than the last? After all, doesn't the scientific method require that the experiment be repeatable under controlled circumstances?  Of course, Persons aren't really subject to scientific method.
         But... God gave them the manifestation they demanded. He gave us the manifestation that we needed. A man who existed historically as confirmed by witnesses  biased both for and against Him. His influence in history is an order of magnitude (or more) greater than any other person's. He died and rose again. Scientifically impossible, but historically verified not only by those who saw Him die and then again after He rose, but by their change in behavior. Yes, some deny, but some deny the Earth is round. Don't let their denials worry you. Just think about the enormity of it all... the plan, the execution  including the execution and the resurrection, all so you could believe, and hope. Gloria in excelsis Deo.

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