Bad Dudes

From the Book of Revelation we read: War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon.  The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it."

This is great imagery and offers a biblical explanation as to why the Devil (Satan) roams the earth.  He and his demons were thrown out of heaven after losing their battle with Michael and his angels. Thanks a lot Michael!   That “huge dragon, the ancient serpent” simply sought safer ground after you and yours booted them out.   The bad dudes took up residence in a new neighborhood with little opposition.   The “occupiers” arrived and likely licked their chomps at the fertile grounds for foul play and evil deeds.

Of course, these are fanciful thoughts trying to make sense of why there is so much evil in the world – wars and crimes against humanity with many people being co-conspirators with the Devil fomenting hate and harm.

Perhaps it’s best to focus on the last part of the book before Revelation, the little referenced Epistle of Jude that reads:

But you, beloved, remember the words spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they told you, “In [the] last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.”  These are the ones who cause divisions; they live on the natural plane, devoid of the Spirit.  But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.  Keep yourselves in the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."

Let’s beware of the scoffers – the ones who cause divisions and are void of Spirit.   They are the occupiers who want our souls and try to work their ways into our thinking and behavior.  They include the news spinners and politicians preying on our biases and prejudices to have us follow them as sheep being led to the slaughter.

Here’s where a little “Our Father” is helpful: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  We always look to a deliverer who just happens to be our savior Jesus Christ.

Deacon David Pierce