3. Rastafari, Jesus, and the Bible A Biblical Look At Rastafari

4. Last Sunday We examined the history of the Rastafari Movement. Now we will look at the unique distinctives Biblically of Rastafari, and compare the Rastafari Movement with the Bible. Reviewing last Sunday we find….

5. www.religionfacts.com “The Rastafari movement is a "messianic religio-political movement" that began in the Jamaican slums in the 1920s and 30s. The most famous Rastafari is Bob Marley, whose reggae music gained the Jamaican movement international recognition. There is significant variation within the Rastafari movement and no formal organization. Some Rastafarians see Rasta more as a way of life than a religion. But uniting the diverse movement is belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, resistance of oppression, and pride in African heritage. The Rastafarian lifestyle usually includes ritual use of marijuana, avoidance of alcohol, the wearing of one's hair in dreadlocks, and vegetarianism.

6. Some Critical Biblical Points Are Is Haile Selassie I, God (Jah) On Earth? Messiahship of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I Bobo Dreads worship of Prince Emmanuel (in addition to Haile Selassie) as a reincarnation of Christ and embodiment of Jah… True Rastas are believed to be immortal, both physically and spiritually, a concept called "everliving.” What is the Gospel?

7. Who Is God (Jah) On Earth? Isaiah 43:10-11 "You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, In order that you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior.“ 2 Timothy 1:10 …our Savior Christ Jesus… Titus 1:4 …Christ Jesus our Savior. Luke 2:11 …a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Matthew 1:16 …Jesus, who is called Christ.

8. Is Jesus God (Jah) On Earth? Genesis 3:15 …and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.“ Isaiah 7:14 …virgin…with child …His name Immanuel. Matthew 1:21-23 "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus [the LORD is salvation], for it is He who will save His people from their sins.“ Now all this took place that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, "Behold, the virgin [parthenos] shall be with child, and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which translated means, "God with us."

9. Is Jesus God (Jah) On Earth? Isaiah 44:6 "Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. Isaiah 41:4 …'I, the LORD, am the first, and with the last. I am He.‘ Isaiah 48:12 …I am He, I am the first, I am also the last. Revelation 2:8 …The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.“ Revelation 1:17-18 …"Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore…

10. Is Jesus The Only God (Jah)? Isaiah 44:6 …'I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. Jude 1:4 …our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. John 10:30 "I and the Father are one.“ John 10:33 The Jews answered Him…You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God. John 10:38 …know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.“ John 14:7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.“ John 14:9 …He who has seen Me has seen the Father… Deuteronomy 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

11. Is Emperor Haile Selassie I Messiah? What did Marcus Garvey say about him? What did Haile Selassie say about his diety? What does the Bible say about the Messiah? What does the Bible say about Messiah Jesus?

12. Is Emperor Haile Selassie I Messiah? What did Marcus Garvey say about him? Marcus Garvey?

13. Fast Facts www.religionfacts.com Date founded: Generally said to be November 2, 1930, the year Emperor Hailie Selassie I (1892-1975) was crowned, but based in a movement of the 1920s. Place founded: Jamaica Founder: Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), a black Jamaican who taught in the 1920s and is considered a second John the Baptist.

14. Marcus Garvey, (1887-1940) Garvey encouraged pride in being black and worked to reverse the mindset of inferiority that centuries of enslavement had ingrained on the minds of blacks. Garvey is regarded as a second John the Baptist and famously prophesied in 1927, "Look to Africa, for there a king shall be crowned."

15. Marcus Garvey, John the Baptist? Followers of Garvey's teachings believed that Selassie is the messiah that had been predicted, and that his coronation indicated the divine punishment was completed and the return to Africa would begin. Rastafarians named their movement for Ras Tafari and regarded the emperor as the physical presence of God (Jah) on earth.

16. Marcus Garvey, John the Baptist? “the divine punishment was completed” “the return to Africa would begin” Did Marcus Garvey think highly of Selassie? Marcus Garvey Earthday: Father of Black Dignity

17. Marcus Garvey, John the Baptist? “the divine punishment was completed” Did black oppression end in 1930?

18. Marcus Garvey, John the Baptist? “the return to Africa would begin” If the return to Africa began in 1930, and God were doing it….? History shows….

19. Haile Selassie Emperor of Ethiopia “Haile Selassie met with Rasta elders in Addis Ababa in the 1950s. In 1955, he offered 500 acres of his personal land to black people wishing to return to Africa. Around 2,200 blacks, mainly Rastafarians, moved to the land (in Shashemene) during the 1960s. But poverty, a lack of acceptance by the Ethiopian population and disputes with the government that overthrew Selassie has caused that population to dwindle. The current population is estimated at 250.”

20. Marcus Garvey, John the Baptist? Did Marcus Garvey think highly of Selassie? “Marcus Garvey himself, however, did not think highly of Selassie. He regarded him as an incompetent leader and in collusion with white oppressors after his defeat by the Italians and acceptance of British assistance to regain his throne. In 1937, Garvey wrote an editorial entitled "The Failure of Haile Selassie as Emperor.”

21. What Did John The Baptist Think About Jesus? John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 "This is He on behalf of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.‘ Mark 1:7-8 And he was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. 8 "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

22. Outline: Haile Selassie Messiah? What did Marcus Garvey say about him? What did Haile Selassie say about that? What does the Bible say about Messiah? What does the Bible say about Messiah Jesus?

23. Is Emperor Haile Selassie I Messiah? What did Haile Selassie say about his being the Messiah?

24. Haile Selassie Emperor Of Ethiopia Haile Selassie was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian and he explicitly denied his divine status as proclaimed in Jamaica. In a radio interview with Canada's CBC news in 1967, he said, "I have heard of that idea [that I am divine]. I also met certain Rastafarians. I told them clearly that I am a man, that I am mortal, and that I will be replaced by the oncoming generation, and that they should never make a mistake in assuming or pretending that a human being is emanated from a deity." This denial has not deterred Rastafarians from believing the emperor to be divine

25. Is Emperor Haile Selassie I Messiah? What did Marcus Garvey say about him? What did Haile Selassie say about that? What does the Bible say about Messiah? What does the Bible say about Messiah Jesus?

26. What’s The Bible Say About Messiah? Genesis 3:15 …her seed…bruise him on the heel. Isaiah 43:10-11…I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?... 2:5 And they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea… Psalm 2:12 Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry… Psalm 22:17-18 I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; 18 They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots.

27. What’s The Bible Say About Messiah? Watch for singular pronouns. Isaiah 53:3-11 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

28. What’s The Bible Say About Messiah? 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living, For the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?

29. What’s The Bible Say About Messiah? 9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. 10 But the LORD was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities.

30. What’s The Bible Say About Messiah? Watch for singular pronouns. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Matthew 21:2-5 saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied there and a colt with her; untie them, and bring them to Me. 3 "And if anyone says something to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and immediately he will send them." 4 Now this took place that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 5 "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold your King is coming to you, Gentle, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'"

31. Is Emperor Haile Selassie I Messiah? What did Marcus Garvey say about him? What did Haile Selassie say about that? What does the Bible say about Messiah? What does the Bible say about Messiah Jesus?

32. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son [singular], that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. μονογενής (monogenes) Meaning: only begotten Origin: from 3441 and 1096 Usage: only(3), only begotten(6). Notes: 1 Or, unique, only one of His kind …

33. What does the Bible say about Messiah Jesus? 1 John 4:9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. John 6:44 "No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:47-48 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life."I am the bread of life.

34. What does Acts 2:32 say about Messiah Jesus? Acts 2:32 "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. 34 "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, 35 Until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet."' 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ-- this Jesus whom you crucified."

35. What else does the Bible say about Messiah Jesus’ Return? Zechariah 14:4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen.

36. What else does the Bible say about Messiah Jesus’ Return? Isaiah 45:22-24 "Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. 23 "I have sworn by Myself, The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back, That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance. 24 "They will say of Me, 'Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.' Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him shall be put to shame. Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

37. Everliving? “Rastafarians do not believe in an afterlife, 5 but instead look to Africa (called "Zion") as a heaven on earth. True Rastas are believed to be immortal, both physically and spiritually, a concept called "everliving.“”5

38. What Does The Bible Say About It? Hebrews 9:27-28 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

39. What Does The Bible Say About It? Jesus said in John 8:24 "I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.“ Ezekiel 18:20 "The person who sins will die… Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

40. What Does The Bible Say About It? Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death… Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

41. What Is The Biblical Gospel? What Is The Biblical Gospel? It’s the good news of available salvation from the bad news. Matthew 5:22 "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Matthew 13:41 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

42. What Is The Biblical Gospel? Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:10 as it is written, "There is none righteous, not even one; Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

43. What Is The Biblical Gospel? John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

44. What Is The Biblical Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

45. What Is The Biblical Gospel? Romans 10:9-13 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; 10 for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.“… 13 for "Whoever will call upon the name of the LORD will be saved."

46. Beware Of False Gospels And Christs Matthew 24:5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. Galatians 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Matthew 24:26 "If therefore they say to you, 'Behold, He is in the wilderness,' do not go forth, or, 'Behold, He is in the inner rooms,' do not believe them. 27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted…

47. God Bless, Drive Safely Home

48. Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.“ Gary, from Sacto, reminded me of “no other name”