Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings on this beautiful summer Saturday morning, dear ones.
A lot more of this morning has already evaporated than I like. Part of the problem is that I’ve had a terrible time biting my lip, so to speak, or limiting my comments relative to this set of ideas. Without a doubt there is a very effective form of brainwashing going on in our world, without many/most having even a clue. We are living in critical dangerous times…whether or not we are ever exposed to bloodshed.
Becki and I did our walk/jog…which included a fairly lengthy visit with a couple of our neighbors.
Besides finishing up a sign job today, I hope to make a substantial beginning on a new picnic table with benches to use on our creekside deck. Our last one was a cedar hand-me-down from Becki’s mother. But it survived and served for over 60 years. Can’t complain about that.
Have a great day. Love, Dad/Ray.
If you have ever wondered about the validity of the Biblical premise that man is a natural desperate sinner in need of transformation by means of a Supernatural Savior, let me suggest two exercises that should help to end the wonder—
- Come and watch our grandchildren “play.”
- Listen and carefully evaluate predominent news content these days.
Let me now turn your attention to a familiar old song--“The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
Do you discern any connection between that song and the FOCUS VERSE? Can it be in any way related to the vision description John gives in Revelation 19:11-16? Please follow me carefully one question further: Do you think that how you respond to current news could bear any indication as to your own level of intoxication?
Be reminded that there are only two kingdoms. Rejection of the Kingdom of God (being ruled by the King) makes one open to the kingdom of Satan. In terms of Biblical revelation, that’s just simple math. By default, the NATURAL SIN NATURE renders in all of us a propensity toward Satan’s rule and opposition to God’s rule. Some Biblical descriptions of the Kingdom of God are light, truth, love, edification, and life. Antithetical to that is Satan’s kingdom—darkness, deception, hate, destruction, and death. A close parallel to deception is being drunk—intoxicated—which is mind-altering. Drunk people are deceived—deceived people get drunk. According to Jesus, one is naturally intoxicated and cannot even see this distinction without being given the sobriety of internal transformation (John 3:3).
It was Samuel who made a very profound statement to disobedient King Saul—“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23, KJV). Doesn’t this idea relate? The point is, if one will not seek the Kingdom of God, one is on a par with a witch, or one who is stoned out of their head.
Please measure your response to current news against God’s Word so as to give yourself a “breath test.” Please do not allow yourself to be picked up by the Sovereign Judge on a DUI (Driving Under the Influence…of the world) because you’ve been found to be going the wrong way on a one-way. Make no mistake about it, God’s truth (which is marching on with or without us) is a ONE-WAY.