Who Was the Greatest Man--Atheist or theist?

"When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.' For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he'" (Luke 7: 24-28).

Who do you think was the greatest man who ever lived. This excludes Jesus of Nazareth--who wasn’t simply born of a woman. He was "only begotten of the Father"). He wasn't of the sinful descent of Adam, as all men and women are, despite the fact that some who think that they are apes and that original predecessor was an ape.

Do you think the greatest man was a scientist, a politician, or perhaps an author? There certainly have been great men; men such as Churchill and Einstein, or Ghandi. But they all fade when compared to a wild man who was clothed in camel’s hair, had a leather belt, ate locusts and wild honey, and shouted at people in a desert. John didn't wear fine clothing, live in luxury or have a great education. He was a prophet. He spoke for God, and Jesus said that not a human being that has even lived was as great as John.

God chose this man when he was still in the womb and set him aside for one purpose--to be a special messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah.

So why don't we see prophets like this in contemporary society, telling us what God requires? Hebrews chapter one tells us:

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they"(Hebrews 1:1-4).

So if you want to know what God requires of you, read the words of Jesus (particularly the Gospel of John). He tells us that He came to suffer and die for the sin of the world and rise on the third day--so that each of us could escape the terror of Hell and have everlasting life. He said, that to enter Heaven, every one of us must be born again. So make sure you not only hear what He says, but that you obey His words of warning.