There is a very strong current that runs in our world—the notion that there is no such thing as evil. That the ideas of evil and sin are constructs that were created to keep people in line. Therefore, if you believe that lying, stealing, and murder are wrong, it’s only because you’ve been taught to believe that.
This might be one of the devil’s best tricks. If there is no evil, then we can be as selfish as our hearts desire and call it good in our own eyes. And while this notion is prevalent today, those who are biblically literate know it is nothing new. The Book of Judges is full of downward spirals caused by people “doing right in their own eyes.” And later, the Roman empire perfected it, exalting the evil among them and calling it good.
The Roman Empire was corrupt to the core. Every serious scholar agrees that the first beast is the empire in general, where people are treated like animals and Christians are persecuted with depravity. Meanwhile, those in power and responsible for enforcing the Roman code celebrated how enlightened and wise they were. Then the second beast, with the “number of a man” 666, is almost certainly the emperor of the whole evil mess, Caesar Nero. Hebrew letters and numbers are the same, and his name spelled in Hebrew adds up to 666.
As I said yesterday, there is a force in this world that is interested in our destruction, and this force will move through any means it can get its dragon claws into. And all too often, human beings turn out to be willing, even eager, participants. We cannot be surprised then when people reveal that they prefer the darkness to the light, and we also shouldn’t be surprised when those living in darkness get mad when the lights get turned on. It hurts their eyes, and it brings things out into the open that people would prefer stay hidden. But God will not be fooled, and the really good news is, God will not allow this type of behavior that is anti-Christ to continue. Again, Jesus wins. The devil isn’t going quietly, but the war is won.
Reflection:
- Sometimes we prefer the darkness to the light—how have you experienced this truth within yourself? Offer those things up to God in confession.
- If you have time, consider reading through Psalm 23. You can offer those petitions up to God in prayer or choose a verse or two to meditate on throughout the day.