Overcoming Perilous Times
Luke 21:34-36
Luke 21:34-36
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hands be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life, and so that day come upon unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth
36 watch ye therefore and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the son of Man.
Commentary
Indeed we are living in troubled times. Times of poverty, battered economy, times of climate changes, times of heightened evil and finally the time of deadly pestilence and diseases.
This bible verse is telling us how to live in perilous times and to keep in check our canality. Giving minimal attention to the cares and distractions of this world, but we should rather focus on spiritual things.
It also reminds us about the terrifying events that will happen before the coming of our lord Jesus Christ ( Matthew 24). He is aware of the events to unfold and deems it necessary to warn us and remind us to be on high alert.
Why should we be warned?
The human mind has trouble keeping his attention, mind, focused. His mind is all over the place but in terms of spiritual things, the human mind has a short life span.
When we consider the parable of the Ten virgins and the bridegroom, It is evident that we are no longer paying attention to the coming of the bridegroom because of distractions.
Our mind is drifting to all kinds of things making prayer ineffective. The mind drifting doesn't allow God to communicate through Bible study the way we should.
According to our anchor scripture Luke 21:34-36 Surfeiting or carousing means indulging in one's appetite excessively. It could be food, drink , fornication or many other things. This world especially in it's advertising, is pushing the overuse of our appetites all the time. We cannot turn on the television without them pushing automobiles, foods and clothing's etc to us. We can feel pressured, stressed from resisting their way of life, product and attitude.
From the parable of the 10 virgins of bridegroom Jesus Christ wants us to return our focus on his return and prepare ourselves for what is coming in troubled times. We should not allow the world to capture away our minds and attitude.
The Bible tells us to keep an eye on world events but Christ wants us to be on high spiritual alert, so we are not caught off guard by the tribulations that will come to pass and to be able to stand before God.
What is Babylonian Spirit?
From the parable of the 10 virgins of bridegroom Jesus Christ wants us to return our focus on his return and prepare ourselves for what is coming in troubled times. We should not allow the world to capture away our minds and attitude.
The Bible tells us to keep an eye on world events but Christ wants us to be on high spiritual alert, so we are not caught off guard by the tribulations that will come to pass and to be able to stand before God.
What is Babylonian Spirit?
Babylon is an ancient nation. But, it is important to note that behind Babylon was the demonic spirit of Babylon. God creates a Kingdom that is called His bride. Satan counterfeits with a kingdom that is called Babylon, the “mother of prostitutes” (Revelation 17:5). The spirit of Babylon is at work in every nation and generation. For this reason, the last book of the Bible, Revelation is closely connected to Daniel as they both have prophecy about the end of human history and beginning of eternity with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Long after the nation of Babylon had ceased to exist, Revelation reveals that the demonic spirit of Babylon remains at work in the world. Here are some examples:
- Revelation 14:8 | Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.”
- Revelation 16:19 | The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.
- Revelation 17:5 | And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
- Revelation 18:1-2 | I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.”
- Revelation 18:10 | They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, “Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.
- Revelation 18:21 | Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more…”
The demonic spirit of Babylon was in Sodom and Gomorrah, Nazi Germany, is in North Korea and Iran, runs drug cartels and human trafficking, is writing curriculum for students from kindergarten through graduate school, is architecting political platforms and cultural narratives in everything from movies to television shows, and enjoys surfing the internet and causing social media trends. No one, no thing, and no place is immune from the demonic influence of the spirit of Babylon.
The question for us Christians is this are we in any way supporting Babylon? And at the same time shouting for God's revival in our lives. When we travel outside do we resort to prostitution and drug pushing.
What happens when Babylon reaches the apex of its influence on men's lives?
- People fall into dissipation.
- Lawlessness, chaos, Greed, Fornication, Adultery.
- Abuse of God given responsibilities
- Self centeredness, murder, Stealing, corruption, poverty, hardship, diseases and pestilence, covetousness. Which leads to chaos and sudden deaths in our society.
The Anchor scripture wants us to be spiritually alert and to put our canality in check because the spiritual controls the physical. With high spirituality we escape from traps of the enemy. According to Ephesians 6:18 .
Benefits of Spirituality
- You cannot be deceived by the devil or false prophets
- Spirituality/fellowship with God reduces had I known , regrets in one's life.
- insights about how to run successful biz flows.
- It helps us to overcome pestilence and afflictions.
- you are empowers to run the affairs of your life.
A sister says whenever she is faced with an uphill task or difficult situation, she moves into fellowship with God. Sometimes while even praise singing solutions and ideas begin to run on her mind. When she applies that Idea, the difficult situation becomes subdued and neutralized. The role of spirituality cannot be over emphasized in life of christians.
The devil is constantly webbing problems into our lives to lead us into sudden destruction. It is only the power of God that can subdue him.
The Lord is our strength in this perilous times.
Compiled by Jacqueline C. Nnadigwe.
