February 16, 2018

Who rules? Man or God? by Gary Rose

Over the past few days, the murders in Parkland, Florida have been the primary topic of the news media. Repeatedly, I heard the question - WHY? No one had a satisfactory answer: The Republicans touted "Mental illness" and the Democrats responded with the usual "Gun control".
While the person who did this heinous crime seems crazy, yet, his level of planning and the execution of his plan testify to his sanity. Even though he used an AR-15, he could have just as well planted a bomb or released poison gas. So, neither political party seems to have the answer.
As is my custom, I endeavor to relate to the world around me through the lens of the Scriptures, so the following portion of Scripture came to mind...
 Daniel, Chapter 4 (World English Bible)
 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered, My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.  20 The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and its sight to all the earth;  21 whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation:  22 it is you, O king, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.  23 Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Cut down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him;  24 this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king:  25 that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.  26 Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule.  27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquility.  28 All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar.  29 At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.  30 The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?  31 While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from the sky, saying, “O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you.  32 You shall be driven from men; and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass as oxen. Seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will.” 33 This was fulfilled the same hour on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.  34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.  35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can stay his hand, or ask him, What are you doing?  36 At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.  37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.

Nebuchadnezzar thought too much of himself, became too great in his own eyes and God humbled him. When a human being considers himself the absolute pinnacle of all that exists in the universe, sooner or later that human being, (or society for that matter) will sink into despair and destruction. Human beings are human beings and NOT GOD!!! 
Over the past few centuries, humanism has been on the rise and with it a departure from God almighty. One group, The American Humanist Association, gives this definition of Humanism:
"Humanism is a progressive lifestance that, without theism or other supernatural beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead meaningful, ethical lives capable of adding to the greater good of humanity."
American Humanist Association
In Contrast, the Bible says...
Jeremiah, Chapter 10 (WEB)
23 Yahweh, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Today, we live in the "me generation". Currently, our schools reject God and any concept of absolute "right" or "wrong". Each person is encouraged to be a "god" unto himself; there are no rules but those the individual determines are correct. Therefore, as a society we are becoming become self-centered and devoid of human decency. We think we are capable of directing our own lives, but in fact we are failing miserably!!! Worse than even these things, many of us think that there will be no consequences for what we do in life, so this gives license to do whatever we want- even kill innocent people (and the more the better, some say)!!!!
The person who committed mass murder will answer to the authorities, but will eventually answer to a higher court- God's perfect justice. And this one is not alone, for we all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Consider this passage from the book of Thessalonians...
2 Thessalonians, Chapter 1 (WEB)
 3  We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds;  4 so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure. 5 This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.  6 Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,  7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,  8 giving vengeance to those who don’t know God, and to those who don’t obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,  9 who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  10 when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. (emphasis added vss. 6-10)
 
Don't live a life devoid of God; such a life will ultimately end in destruction. Why did the tragedy in Parkland, Florida happen? In a word, SIN! 

America: Turn back to God and live- it is NOT TOO LATE!!!!

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