EOTWAWKI?
It is election day in these
United States of America. Dire warnings come from both sides promising that
we’re doomed (EOTWAWKI
) if the other guy is elected. Frankly, some of the claims are so baseless
(even ridiculous) that I wonder how the candidates utter them with a straight
face? Oh, there are consequences that come from elections.
American history will be shaped by the policies of those we choose to hold
office. Public policies for the next decade will be changed by the legislation
enacted and the judges appointed during the next four years. I am not
minimizing the importance of this election, but I want to set it in context
of Heaven's truth.
God makes it known in the Scripture - " I am in charge of history!" That is no always obvious, nor is His rule sometimes easy to discern. Consider Daniel. Invaders carried him from his home in Jerusalem to Babylon while he was still a teen. There he was put in the service of a pagan emperor. Daniel had to wrestle to reconcile the truth that God was revealing to him concerning His control of human events and the fact that God’s Temple and Holy City was in ruins and His people apparently without a future. Young Jews like himself were in captives in a foreign land. How could that be the will of Yahweh? Daniel, despite tragedy, remained God's man and trusted God as the Sovereign of human affairs. The result was a man so in tune with the Spirit that he became God's spokesman to the super-power of his time!
One time, Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his counselors tell him what he had dreamed and the meaning of his dream. Impossible? Sure it was. But, Daniel went to prayer, received the revelation, and went to tell the king what God was saying to him. God showed Daniel that He was still in charge. Remember that dream? It was a large statue with golden head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, and feet of clay. It represented the kingdoms of men. The key part of the dream was the Stone that was cut out, not with human hands, that smashed the statue. The meaning? All earthly kingdoms will come to an end when the King of Kings sets up His reign.
Later on the king had another terrifying dream. He saw a great tree in the center of the earth. It was cut down by a heavenly messenger, but the stump was left. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that it was a message that he was about to be cut down because of his arrogance. "They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules." (Daniel 4:25-26, NKJV)
When Daniel was about 80 years old, once again a king saw a terrifying vision. Belshazzar, the regent of Babylon, whose arrogance far outstripped that of Nebuchadnezzar, was throwing a banquet when a hand appeared to write on the wall of the hall. No one could understand the cryptic phrase - MN MN TKL PRSN. Then the queen mother reminded Belshazzar of an old Jewish man who had counseled the prior king. Daniel came and read the inscription: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" -- "Numbered, numbered, Weighed, and Divided!" Boldly, Daniel pronounced the message of Heaven.
God makes it known in the Scripture - " I am in charge of history!" That is no always obvious, nor is His rule sometimes easy to discern. Consider Daniel. Invaders carried him from his home in Jerusalem to Babylon while he was still a teen. There he was put in the service of a pagan emperor. Daniel had to wrestle to reconcile the truth that God was revealing to him concerning His control of human events and the fact that God’s Temple and Holy City was in ruins and His people apparently without a future. Young Jews like himself were in captives in a foreign land. How could that be the will of Yahweh? Daniel, despite tragedy, remained God's man and trusted God as the Sovereign of human affairs. The result was a man so in tune with the Spirit that he became God's spokesman to the super-power of his time!
One time, Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his counselors tell him what he had dreamed and the meaning of his dream. Impossible? Sure it was. But, Daniel went to prayer, received the revelation, and went to tell the king what God was saying to him. God showed Daniel that He was still in charge. Remember that dream? It was a large statue with golden head, silver chest, bronze belly, iron legs, and feet of clay. It represented the kingdoms of men. The key part of the dream was the Stone that was cut out, not with human hands, that smashed the statue. The meaning? All earthly kingdoms will come to an end when the King of Kings sets up His reign.
Later on the king had another terrifying dream. He saw a great tree in the center of the earth. It was cut down by a heavenly messenger, but the stump was left. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that it was a message that he was about to be cut down because of his arrogance. "They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses. "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that Heaven rules." (Daniel 4:25-26, NKJV)
When Daniel was about 80 years old, once again a king saw a terrifying vision. Belshazzar, the regent of Babylon, whose arrogance far outstripped that of Nebuchadnezzar, was throwing a banquet when a hand appeared to write on the wall of the hall. No one could understand the cryptic phrase - MN MN TKL PRSN. Then the queen mother reminded Belshazzar of an old Jewish man who had counseled the prior king. Daniel came and read the inscription: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin" -- "Numbered, numbered, Weighed, and Divided!" Boldly, Daniel pronounced the message of Heaven.
"Your Majesty, the Most High God gave sovereignty,
majesty, glory, and honor to your predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. He made him so
great that people of all races and nations and languages trembled before him in
fear. ... But when his heart and mind were hardened with pride, he was brought
down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. ...until he learned that
the Most High God rules the kingdoms of the world and appoints anyone he
desires to rule over them. You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew
all this, yet you have not humbled yourself. For you have defied the Lord of
heaven ...you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and
controls your destiny! So God has sent this hand to write a message."
(Daniel 5:18-24, NLT)
His message? God
rules!
Christian, “God Rules!” is not a message of fear. It is one
of great comfort to us as we work out our salvation. Though the Lord calls us
to be responsible, proactive, and engaged in the world in which we live, all
the while we know that we are not in charge. Oh, what peace can be
found in the calm assurance that there is a competent Captain guiding us.
Disciple, I want to urge you to trust that revelation today. Steady
yourself in faith in God. He is capable of keeping you in the palm of His hand,
no matter what happens in the elections today, no matter what storm blows
through your state, no matter what crisis appears, as if from nowhere, in your
life. Pray for eyes that see what God sees and a mind that thinks as He thinks
as the Spirit gives revelation. In this election year when there is so much
anxiety about the future of this country... remember the Truth! "Blessed be the name of God,
forever and ever. He knows all, does all: He changes the seasons and guides
history, He raises up kings and also brings them down."
(Daniel 2:20-21, The Message) He has charged us with responsibility to pray for
His will to be done, and then we will obey Him and live with heart-deep faith
and rock-solid assurance.
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’" (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)
Oh, yes; EOTWAWKI means- End Of The World As We Know It
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’" (Matthew 6:8-13, NIV)
Oh, yes; EOTWAWKI means- End Of The World As We Know It
And, no: the election of either Romney or the
re-election of Obama will not cause it!
___________________
___________________
I voted this morning. I hope you will, too.
The only wasted vote is the one not cast.
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