April 07, 2007

Nine Filipinos marked Easter celebrations with crucifixion

A group of nine Filipinos have taken a literal interpretation of Easter celebration by crucifying themselves to honor Jesus Christ as they were nailed to crosses in a gory reenactment of the death of Jesus. The gruesome annual ritual in a small village about 50 miles north of Manilla, Philippines, attracts tourists from around the world, some of whom are splattered with blood from lines of men themselves flagellating with bamboo whips on route to the crucifixion site using paddles tipped with glass to rip their skin wider.

Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the site of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago, Christian pilgrims from around the world mark the Passion Week events under tight security even as the Jewish people mark Passover, the first of the seven Jewish holy days.

Jimmy's Prophetic Prospective on the News

Self-imposed flagellation followed by a gruesome crucifixion to mark the Easter celebrations is evidence that we are living in the Last Days, seemingly close to the time of our Lord's Second Coming, that is according to Bible prophecy.

The very thought that tourists from around the world would crowd into a small Filipino village to watch men allow themselves to be beaten with bamboo whips and broken glass embedded paddles is a very gruesome thought; to then watch these same men endure the pain to atone for their sins or to bring blessings to their families is an experience that indicates the Last Days are here and the Lord's return is close at hand, that is according to the prophecies written by the Apostle Paul some 2,000 years ago.

Paul wrote to Timothy, his co-worker, that he could recognize the Last Days when he saw men having a form of godliness, but denying the power of the work of Jesus Christ for us; that's found in II Timothy 3:5. Self-imposed flagellation and the crucifixion by these Filipino men is not only a gruesome experience, but it has nothing to do with atonement for one's sins. The Apostle Paul says that from such religious activity should one turn away; that's is also found in verse five.

The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is indeed the Gospel and all that is needed for the atonement of sin, and by the way it is also proof that Bible prophecy will be fulfilled.