Revelations has been a really refreshing study. Considering how little I like that book - confusing imagery, dark medieval violence, obtuse observations - that's quite something.
woke up thinking today: If all this life is leading up to a time of Great Judgement, am I prepared? Can I meet a great era of injustice and deception that will be ushered in by the notorious (and oft misunderstood by Hollywood) "666"?
In the first place, do I have the wisdom and insight to discern the things of "666" and the things of God?
It is too easy to imagine "666" is Al Pacino in a sharp devilish suit or a CGI-created literal Beast.
I reckon the real "666" or "Beast" is a far more complex, sinister and well-disguised Evil then most of us think. 666 may not even an individual at all but some kind of corporate entity. His number is the numerical symbol of Ultimate Imperfection. His game is Ultimate Deception.
We would be lucky if he came capering around with horns and hooves that scream "Look at me!" That would be one dumb villain and Satan is no dummy. For goodness sake, He is called the Father of Lies.
Time to haul ass. No wonder when the Bible talks about learning how to love, recognise truth, gain righteousness etc. in warlike terms.
Imagine one of those tough-guy American war flicks - "Git up, buckaroo! You sleepin' in yo' trenches, boy? Where you think you are...Malibu? Hawaii? This is war, son!" Are we sleeping in our trenches of self-absorbed lives? Where do we think we are - Heaven? How many times must we be reminded that we are living in a fallen world that is in the throes of war?
People in a state of Emergency or a state of war are marked by their mindset of Preparedness. a strong awareness of a bigger War beyond the tiny slice of battle they are seeing.
Trying to be godly and choosing Good over Evil is not pastel-pretty stuff. It's kind of like preparing for war - know your generals, know you weapons, know your strategy or prepare to flounder like the dumb recruit that bites the dust in the first few minutes of those Hollywood war movies.
We learn to love God and His ways not for the sake of finding individual happiness, or for finding materialistic success, or for feeling warm and gushy inside. If all those things find their way into your life...be glad for they are gifts in the midst of tough times.
But never forget - We honour God and learn God's ways because we are going to need it to make a stand when it most matters.
Evil is afoot. It may be working right next to you. And I am not talking about your boss.
Eph 6:10-20 (NKJV)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints -
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
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