No More Libyas
A commentary by Robin Webber
United Church of God pastor
Many of us have been watching the unfolding events in North Africa and the Middle East with amazement. Historically and culturally it is extremely significant. It is similar to the revolutionary movements of Latin America in the early 1800s, Europe in 1848 and the collapse of the Soviet Union just a couple of decades ago. History teaches us that even seemingly impregnable walls of fear and oppression can be brought down by an angry populace. It has been exhilarating and heartbreaking all in the same moment: Exhilarating to see people in the street seeking liberty from oppression and heartbreaking to see people mowed down with guns fired by their own countrymen. Many religious commentators and pundits are already pondering what this historic sweep of events portends for prophetic events.
The rule of tyrants
Let us now bring it down to a more personal note in our everyday lives. I say this, because I have been moved over the last couple of days by the brutal smashing of the forces of freedom by the villainous Muammar Gadhafi. He has not only been implicated in decades of terrorism against people from abroad, but has now turned his jets and tanks on his own people. This has been done in an attempt to push them back into the atmosphere of oppression from which they are trying to break free.
As of today, it looks like he has the upper hand in putting down this revolution. Terror, evil and bullying seem to have once again ruled the day in Libya, unlike neighboring results. This act of repression is about to be completed while the world dithers back and forth about whether to implement a possible no-fly zone as a part of a solution to aid the oppressed.
The world in spiritual oppression
I could not help but consider the powerful analogy to a greater spiritual despot who desires to stamp out any possible spiritual freedom that God offers humanity. The Bible speaks of Satan the devil as the "god of this age "(2 Corinthians 4:4). His influence is everywhere as he tries to extend his tentacles to every nook and cranny of our hearts and minds. Revelation 12:9 indicates his tactics are effective, because it says, "he deceives the whole world." Amazingly, he is hoodwinking the great majority of humanity in to thinking his oppressiveness is actually giving them more liberty.
But make no mistake regarding his intentions. His gloves come off and his fangs are fully exposed when it comes to those who dare to stand up to him and apart from his dominating society. Revelation 12 offers a broad panorama of the battle between the saints of the God the heaven versus the "god of this age" for the last 2,000 years. It is a war that is only going to intensify in the years to come. Revelation 12:17 speaks of Satan's end time rage towards followers of Jesus Christ when it says, "The dragon was enraged with the woman [the Church], and he went to make war with rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Jesus Christ to conquer tyranny
But the parallel between what is happening right now, here below, and the future takes a differently dramatic turn. The Son of God is not going to impose some halfway measure of a no-fly zone, but is going to orchestrate something radically different. Jesus Christ is going to impose lasting solutions towards peace, freedom and every human being living up their incredible human potential.
Revelation 19:11-14 describes an incredible intervention that is yet to occur: "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine line, white and clean followed Him on white horses." This is speaking of not only one country being occupied by the saving forces of God Almighty, but the overthrow of all evil despots. The Book of Revelation speaks of not only the overthrow of this diabolical spiritual regime, but the actual capture and removal of its tyrannically insane head—Satan (Revelation 20:2).
A time is coming of no more despots—neither physical nor spiritual–and a time in which there will be no more tyranny as we are witnessing in Libya today.
If you would like to know more about what your future holds, please read our booklets, The Book of Revelation Unveiled and Is There Really a Devil?
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