What is blasphemy?

The American Heritage Dictionary Of The English Language, Third Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, gives the following definition for the word "blasphemy":

1.a.  A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity.

1.b.  The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.

Is it forgiveable, or not?

Let's look at these comments by Jesus starting in Matthew.

Matt. 12:23  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

Matt. 12:24  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

Matt. 12:25  And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

Matt. 12:26  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Matt. 12:27  And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

Matt. 12:28  But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Matt. 12:30  He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Matt. 12:31  Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

Matt. 12:32  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Matt. 12:33  Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Matt. 12:34  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matt. 12:35  A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Matt. 12:36  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

It is obvious here that Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who had just accused Him of letting Beelzebub use Him.  This statement by the Pharisees was intended to be insulting and to have a negative impact on the people who heard it.  They put on a big show in public for the people but they were hypocrites as Jesus warned his followers in Luke 12:1.  Yes, they were great practitioners of hypocrisy.

What is hypocrisy?

Again, using the American Heritage Dictionary again we find the following definition:

1.  The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.

No truer definitions can be expressed for these Pharisees.  Still, I can remember an old definition of hypocrite that I looked up years ago in a dictionary (I don't remember which one) that seems to fit here like a glove.  It was basically:  One who does something wrong while knowing better.  That definition would certainly apply here in this case.

The very Son of God had been sent to them and they were repudiating Him in spite of His words and miracles.  Jesus faced them fearlessly and accused them here of committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which even a casual reader can determine.  He said that this form of blasphemy would not be forgiven in this world age or the next one.  Did they ultimately get away with it?  Jerusalem was leveled, sacked, and burned in 70 A.D., including the Temple.  Most of the population was killed, starved, or died of disease.  Get a copy of Josephus and read about the horrible things that went on during this time.

Again in 135 A.D., Jerusalem was completely destroyed and the remaining Jews living there, and within its environs, were scattered to the four winds.  They were warned to never return again.  Did they get away with it?  Absolutely not.  That is a good example of how blasphemy will not be forgiven in this world.

The fig tree Jewish nation died after Jesus cursed it.  See verse 33 above and also Matthew 21:18-22.

Now, let's look at Luke.

Luke 11:54  Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.

Luke 12:1  In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Luke 12:2  For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

Luke 12:3  Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Luke 12:4  And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

Luke 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Luke 12:6  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Luke 12:7  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:8  Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men,  him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Luke 12:9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Luke 12:10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

Luke 12:11  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

What is the situation here?

This discourse in Luke is parallel to the one we just looked at in Matthew.  Same day, same place, same people.  A lot of things had gone on that day and as a result the scribes and Pharisees were stirring up the people against Jesus as we see in Luke 11:53-54.  A large, probably unruly, crowd formed which evidently caused concern among the disciples who were present.  They obviously found the mob threatening.  In Matthew it shows how He confronted them without fear, and in Luke here it shows how He encouraged his disciples in all this hubbub not to be afraid to stand forth on His behalf.

Amongst all of this is found the verses concerning speaking against the Son of man and the Holy Spirit.  Those statements were directed squarely at the scribes and Pharisees, and also to the crowd to some extent.  Out of these, who would be forgiven and who would not?  As it turned out in 70 A.D, they all would pay the penalty for what they had done.  They all had placed themselves directly in the path of God's wrath and retribution.  Hopefully, some of them amongst the rabble repented later and began to heed Christ's words.  If so then they probably were forgiven, but not so with the scribes and Pharisees.  They knew from the beginning what they were doing because they were what?  Hypocrites!

Jesus responded to the opportunity here and gave some positive training in a direct fashion.  It is disciplinary in form but filled with encouragement.  So, in a sense, it was good for them to be caught in this situation.  Jesus wasn't accusing them of wanting to commit blasphemy, they were not guilty of anything but being fearful.  So, who was guilty of blasphemy here that brought forth the statement concerning it?  The scribes and Pharisees certainly, and the crowd to a lesser extent.

Jesus is telling them, and also us today, how we should respond in situations like this.  We should desire to stand forth for our Savior like a good soldier and give the reason for the hope that lies within us.  Very soon now some of us will have the opportunity, so be prepared.

And now, the worst blasphemy of all.

Matt. 24:2  And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Matt. 24:3  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Matt. 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Jesus repeated this warning three times.  Similar statements are recorded also in Mark 13:1-6 and Luke 21:5-8.  This is not referring to crackpots and kooks.   It means that some with strong appeal would come claiming that they represent Him, but are wolves in sheeps clothing.

The terrible thing is that they will do great damage.  Look at the last clause of verse 5 above, the word shall is emphatic.  How could this be, that the many shall be deceived?  For several reasons, but one big reason is that people do not study our Father's word for themselves.  They let other men tell them what they should believe without proving it.  A word to the wise is sufficient.

Remember the definitions given at the beginning of this lesson?  These deceivers fulfill the definition given in 1.b.

Don't take this stern warning from Jesus in verse 24 lightly.  Consider it well because it reveals the greatest danger of our time now.  These men will deceive the many, not the few, with devastating consequences for the people who dwell upon the earth.  It is blasphemy of the worst sort.

What is going to happen?  Let's go to the book of Revelation and find out.

You should read Revelation 9 now in its entirety to get the whole picture.

Do you wonder why these people are so stubborn, and why they refuse to repent.  The truth is shocking!

There are actually two groups of people here.  Let's consider the ones in verse 21 first.  They are the ones who don't obey God, may or may not believe that He exists, or don't care if He does or not.  Looking at the nature of the crimes mentioned it would be easy to apply this type to the scurrilous criminal element in our society only.  Don't you believe it.

How did this happen?

Just as Jesus said, impostors have come in His name and have deceived many already.  They come teaching for the gospel the traditions of men and the people just love them to death, literally.  This is very serious blasphemy, but you know what?  The worst is yet to come.

Now you should read Revelation 13 in its entirety to fully grasp the following scenario.

Here we have the dreaded beast of Revelation.  Notice the association with blasphemy.  In what way?  This beast is actually a system, not an individual, that is controlled by Satan through his offspring.  See my article, Who Are The Tares? for more details.  It seems so righteous, and it gains control over the people until it receives an apparent deadly wound, which is seemingly healed by Antichrist.

The subject of the beast is so captivating that I have to digress here briefly.  Actually, the deadly wound given to this beast is not healed, it is truly dead in the sense that all the power and forces that once governed it are dead and gone.   The seventh head is dead, and Babylon the Great which bridled it is dead.  I believe that it will be the Antichrist who instigates others to kill them for his own selfish purposes.   After its demise, the Antichrist quickly induces the people to build an image (a facsimile, or copy) of the beast which he will personally run "hands on".  That is what is meant by the phrase that its deadly wound was healed.  For more details on this beast, its death, and the one that replaces it, see chapter 13 in my series     Revelation - A Message For The End Time, at ourfathersword.org.

Continuing now on the blasphemy issue.  At verse 11 the second beast appears which is even more persuasive than the first.  Here we have the infamous Antichrist and the blasphemy gets even worse.  How does this awful, dreaded, much talked about and ballyhooed Antichrist schmooze the people into accepting him?  If he came as we have been led to believe, as such an evil nasty person, he could fool no one. But notice the two horns like a lamb.  He comes so righteous and gentle, like a lamb, claiming to be the Lamb of God, so wonderful, and sweet, and understanding.

He comes claiming to be Christ.  Blasphemy!

But you know what?  The people believe him and they love him, that's another reason why they won't repent.  They think he is the real Jesus returning to save them.  The western world will willingly worship him and the beast, and there is not even a hint of resistance by the world in general.  Only the Elect will challenge him and he will have them killed, or at least disgraced and shunned.

How does he get away with this?

Well, he does get away with it but only for a short time after his appearance, a few months maybe, certainly no more than 42 months.  One of the reasons that he does is because he is the first Jesus to come.  He comes in such a fashion, faking the appearance of Christ, that it convinces the people he is genuine.  Another reason he gets away with it is because the people are ignorant of God's word.   They had already accepted the ways of the original beast, so gross deception of the people by the new beast led by Antichrist is a cake walk.

Remember the 1.b definition of blasphemy given above at the beginning of this lesson?

1.b.  The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.

That is what we are discussing here, the ultimate blasphemy, and that is actually pretending to be God.

Rev. 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Now you know what is going to happen and who is involved.  Don't be fooled into believing this deceiver, this pretender, this fake Christ.  He is going to be a real dazzler.  The appeal to worship him will be overwhelming unless you are convinced beforehand who he really is and what he is up to.

Matt. 24:23  Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

Matt. 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matt. 24:25  Behold, I have told you before.

What can you do to avoid being deceived?

If you are not a Christian, you need to consider your position.  Repent, ask our Father's forgiveness for your sins, be baptized by immersion, and then really get into our Father's word and study it regularly to learn how to live like you should.

Blasphemy is anything said, or done, that is insulting or contemptuous of God.

Some blasphemy will be forgiven, some will not.

Some blasphemy is committed openly and some is hidden.

The greatest blasphemy of all is committed by false prophets and especially the Antichrist.

Have you committed blasphemy of an unforgiveable nature?

God bless with understanding of His word.