THE “GREATEST” MET THE TRUE GREATEST!
A very popular sports figure arrogantly claimed to be “The Greatest” in his sporting event. Of course, many took this as mostly promotional hype, and not to be taken seriously. But this man, in addition to promoting his boxing, also used his popularity and influence to support and propagate the false religion of Islam. Like all men, he eventually passed away (Heb. 9:27) and would learn Who the Greatest truly is (Isa. 12:6; Tit. 2:13)!
Now, these observations (above and below) are certainly not in any way intended as a personal attack against any person – living or dead. But this person constantly, proudly, and openly proclaimed his commitment to Islam. He also passed out tracts and thus made it a public record.
We must understand that no matter who is under consideration, God is the righteous “Judge of all the earth” (Gen. 18:25; Heb. 9:27; Rom. 14:12). Therefore, we leave all final, eternal judgment in the Lord’s just and righteous hands. However, it is essential to remember that God’s Word is the standard by which all of us, with no exceptions, are measured (Jno. 12:48; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17). We can certainly point out the lack of conformity to the truth of God’s word when it is evident in some person. It is not sinful judgment to point out that the Bible warns us all that to reject the Son of God, in His fullness of deity, is to be lost eternally (Jno. 8:24, 58; Exod. 3:14; Col. 2:9). At death, if not before, all will certainly learn the truth concerning their eternal destiny (cf. Lk. 16:22-23; 23:43). Death will be a sever learning experience for many. But, alas, too late!
This person certainly learned, at death, that God’s name is not “Allah” (Ex. 3:14; Isa. 43:10-12; 44:6; Heb. 1:1-2). Furthermore, he would learn that God’s inspired word is not the Koran (Gal. 1:8, 9; 2 Jn. 9-11; Rev. 22:18, 19). He would realize that God’s prophet is not Muhammad (Deut. 18:15-18; Acts 3:22, 23; Matt. 17:5). In fact, many others will also sadly learn at death that Joseph Smith of the Mormons, Mary Baker Eddy of the Christian Science religion, Ellan White founder of Seventh Day Adventism, and many others, were not God’s prophets or teachers (1 Cor. 8:5, 6; Heb. 1:1-2; 2:1-4; 3:1-2; cf. Matt. 24:4-5; 2 Pet. 2:1-2; 1 Jno. 4:1).
Eternal Salvation is only in Christ and not in Muhammad or any other man or woman (Jn. 8:24; 14:6; Acts 4:7-12; Eph. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Jn. 5:11, 12). Some of these false teachers may impress multitudes with their humanitarian works, etc., but they fall short of true obedience to the Lord (Matt. 7:21-23).
It is sad indeed that there are false prophets and teachers all over the world today (Matt. 7:15; 2 Cor. 11:12-15; 1 Jno. 5:19). They are on the broad road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14), but they are also leading multitudes, who blindly follow them, away from the truth and into error (Matt. 15:13-14). It gives us no pleasure to make these righteous judgments, though we base them upon the word of God (Jno. 7:24; Isa. 8:20; Rom. 16:17; 2 Jno. 9-10). All of us will be judged by the word of God (cf. Jno. 12:48; Rom. 2:8; Rev. 20:12).
The vital lesson here is not to wait until death calls us away from this earth life and reveals to us that we did not obey the Lord. It will be too late at that time to learn and obey the truth (cf. Lk. 16:26). Our destiny will have been sealed. The eternal judgment is but the final pronouncement and separation into our eternal reward (Matt. 25:46; Jno. 5:28-29; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). Wake up!