hope – Eagle Rock Community Church

Is There Any Hope?

I have been asking myself the question; Does the secular world have any hope for the future? After the Danish terrorist attacks, forty thousand Danes gathered to show solidarity for free speech and community consolation. One of the focal points of their gathering was a song performed by one of their popular music stars. You guessed it! The song was “Imagine”, written by John Lennon. Does this song crystallize the secular hopes and dreams of humanity? If you haven’t heard the words or cannot remember what the song is saying, do me a favor and download the song. All I can say is that it is fantasy and wishful thinking at its best! It lacks substance and denies the harsh realities of life. But it feels good! That is all the secular world has to hold onto; feelings. At the other end of the spectrum is a growing number of radicalized Islamists who want to impose a theocratic rule over the world. Their hope is that through violence and fear, their vision of the future will be realized. Would it be too far a stretch to say that most people would love a new order for humanity? Isaiah 42:1 proclaims that “justice for the nations” cannot be achieved through human efforts.

It will take a uniquely divine figure to bring order to this world. Jesus proclaimed this new order over two thousand years ago. He claimed that in and through His own person and work, God was bringing His order to the nations. The New Testament proclaims that in the resurrection of Jesus, God validates His purpose for a new world order. What He began in Jesus will be consummated at His return. Hope for humanity is fully realized beyond history and not through any human fantasy or effort. In history we must confront evil and seek the good for humanity. The message of the church is that in Jesus, we can enter the hope of resurrection by receiving new life in Christ. This new life celebrates the diversity of human culture and yet brings a real sense of unity and peace. My prayer in this season of Lent, is that all of Christ’s followers will give witness to the only hope for humanity; the glorious return of our Lord! Come Lord Jesus!

Random Acts of Violence, Really?

Twenty of our Christian brothers were beheaded by Muslim extremists in Libya yesterday. How many other brothers and sisters in Christ have been killed over the last several months? I am both angry and broken. I am angry over the evil done to people and I am angry over the lack of moral courage on the part of some of our leaders in not naming the enemy. These are not “random” acts of violence, these are intentional acts of murder in the name of Islam. These evil people have a world view that clarifies their intentions. We live in a culture that is increasingly becoming. The secular man has no moral category to define these people as evil. The secular culture has rejected religious values. The idea that there is a spiritual enemy behind the barbarism and murder sounds foolish to the secular culture. It is much easier to rationalize acts as “random”, because to label them as intentional acts of evil, demands a moral and spiritual world.

The vision of Revelation 12 is reflective of a Christian theistic world view. The dragon appears to try to destroy the woman and the child. The woman who represents God’s people and the child Messiah are divinely protected. The dragon turns on the followers of Jesus by raising up a beast. The beast is historically Rome and it’s imperial power. The beast also stands for any totalitarian power that seeks to rule and persecute God’s people. The dragon is working today in the radical Islamic movements around the world. Where in the midst of this evil can followers of Jesus find strength and hope? John’s vision in chapter five of Revelation is our vision of perseverance and hope. The slaughtered Lamb is seen at the center of God’s throne! The Lion of Judah is the Lamb that was slain! Suffering in the name of Christ is not the end! Jesus is risen and has struck a fatal blow to the dragon. (Colossians 2:15). Our posture must be, as followers of Jesus, that of a military battle. The battle is a battle for the minds and hearts of lost people. Our weapons are spiritual. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we are called to be salt and light in this age. Even if it cost everything! I have not felt as emboldened to be a follower of Jesus since the early days of my salvation. May God bring comfort to the families of those who were slain. May we take up the cross with all those who are truly in arms way of death! On ward to victory!