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:
– 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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