9-2-2012 Within-Without

Within-Without

Trinity Tapestry in Shechem

"For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.     

                                    
                                            Malachi 4:1-3

You, Elohim, tell us that there will be “a time”, called “The Day” when prophesies which seem so distant in description, will unfold to those with eyes to see and ears to hear. I believe You are opening my eyes and ears and I praise You for it, Teacher, but now I have to use my newly heightened spiritual senses.

I have come to understand that, what seem like the ramblings of some crazy men (maybe even this crazy man) to some, are actually real events that have occurred or that are destined to unfold in the blur between the physical and the spiritual realms. With tongue in cheek, I even claim to You, Almighty, that there has been a whole book written about these happenings: Conflicts and warnings of things that either give hope to, or terrify my heart.

Minaret in Bethlehem

When traveling The Land, I saw many of the places and learned more about the people of which these things were written. Locations like Megiddo and names such as Ezekiel come to mind. Even you, my Messiah, spoke of “The Day of The Lord” and referenced often, “The End of The Age”. Perhaps to the casual observer these portents relate only as general statements suggesting how we will, over and over again…for lack of a better term…screw up. But You have not, for some reason, given me a “casual mind”.

Maybe there’s more to End Times and Spiritual Warfare prophesy. What if Eschatology suggests You want something beyond a simple confession of human faultiness, what if You are painting a picture of an ongoing battle, camouflaged by our insensitivity to truth and light?

I read and hear and see of things that are far more diabolical: Times of ultimate conflict, actions of final redemption all requiring one ultimate decision on the part of individuals and cultures. Israel is the center of examples, where You have intervened and acted repeatedly, but warning that a “bigger” even is beyond the horizon – not like any before.

Narrow Gate at Masada 

It begs several questions Master of Past, Present and Future; am I prepared? Am I ready, not just for some distant apocalypse, but am I living in a way and in a place that recognizes light from darkness and chooses consistently the former? There is an easy answer: “Of course…I’ve read those parts of the Bible. I know things are going to get ‘rough’”. And…there is also the harder answer: “I don’t know if I believe this is really relevant now – if I simply live my life as a ‘good Christian’, I’ll make out just fine.”

But then my answers aren’t really important, are they YHWH? Your truth is far more convicting and it’s right there in scripture.

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

Islamic proclamation in Nazareth

Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”                                                                                                                                        

                                                              Mat 24:22-28

   

Olive Tree and "beholder"  in Samaria

Am I willing to recognize this message being meant for not only for the hearers of old and possibly for those of some future apocalypse, but also for me…and my time, my culture? When I stood in The Land, I could see plenty of evidence to this. When I returned home, I could not deny the signs – in other words, King of kings, I do recognize Your work and also the active efforts of evil attempting to claim its share. It saddens me because I know any of us here on this planet, even if we claim You as Lord (maybe now, especially because we claim You), are at risk of suffering. And those who have not yet received You, Spirit, are in the greatest danger of all – not just of facing the cosmic powers of this present darkness, but of existing in an eternal Godless void never to be undone.

Traditional Oil Lamp

Master, I call on You for revelation; not only that I might better recognize Your plan and desire for me, but also for those whom are, at best, casual observers of the ongoing struggle between light and dark. Help me, and all those who believe to be more vigilant and as importantly, more vocal so that all may know You as their defender and protector.

Praying for The Active Peace of Your presence – within and without,

                                                                                       Mark C.