Random Acts of Violence, Really?

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!

 

Eagle Rock Community Church Copyright © 2015-2023, All Rights Reserved. - Design By: