Our Inner Struggle Untangled

Many have been involved in the pursuit of fame and fortune in some way. They want knowledge and influence, and expend much time and effort to achieve these goals. They become stuck in being consumed by them.

Others in this grouping become aware of change in their life goals. They realize that what they have been seeking in life has no real meaning for them. They become aware that these aims are temporary, and have no eternal consequences. They turn to religion for answers. But they soon find that they have difficulty in giving up their personal power, and their way of life. So they give up!

On the other end of the economic scale, some feel stuck in poverty. They resent others better off than they, and feel pity for themselves. They develop addictions that eventually ruin their lives. They run afoul of the law. They go in and out of rehabs. They ultimately lose their family. They turn to religion for answers. But they soon realize they are undisciplined, and have difficulty letting go of their resentment. So they give up!

Those in between the above life stations work hard to “get ahead.” They get caught up in acquiring “things” and in “keeping up with the Joneses.” They begin to feel like they are treading water, or stuck in a rut. Becoming envious of others, they lament their lot in life. They turn to alcohol or drugs to dull the anguish. They turn to religion, but soon realize they have difficulty accepting inner change. So they give up!

There are Christians who have become confused by what they hear from the pulpit. They discover unacceptable behavior going on behind the scenes. They become upset regarding a change of focus in the message and ministry of their church. They read books written by Christians undermining the Bible and they start to question their belief system.

They see programs on television that question or deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They hear the early Church punished as heretics those with different beliefs. They read Internet articles denying Jesus’ existence. So they give up! These are a few broad stroke examples of the people the message of Revelation is intended for. The problem is psychological and spiritual fatigue. There are literally many millions of people taking antidepressants in order to deal with the above situations. Eventually, some commit suicide, and some go on killing sprees.

People are tired and depressed because they are victims of societal manipulations such as greed in consumerism, use of sexual exploitation in advertising, personal dishonesty in politics and misinformation and disinformation in the media. There is a sort of moral sickness in the world that is on the rise. God is reviled and Christian faith is under attack from without and from within. Evil is on the rise in the world.

We need to realize ways in which we have been led to think the unneeded is necessary. We are pressured to believe self-esteem comes from having the latest hi-tech phone or style of clothing. We learn that personal success is determined by the expense of the vehicle we drive and the size and plushness of the dwelling we live in. We are intimidated into believing that things are more important than morality.

The Creator God of the Christian Bible is undermined and humanism is glorified. We hear of “humanity’s destiny” to conquer the universe, with science as its God. But science only discovers how some aspects of physical reality, including energy, are made. Science does not create what does not already exist.

In the deciphered text of Revelation, Jesus exposes human soul-sickness that occurs as a result of our unwitting practice of self-delusion! We all need to heed the wake-up call of Jesus in these texts. We all need to become aware of the extent to which our thinking has become faulty! The evil that is increasing in the world is due to the malice and greed of our human nature being poured out into the world.

Satan has increased his influence over humans. He has said in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven, I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will make myself like the Most High (Isaiah 14:13-14). Thus Satan is called the Spirit of Self-will.

Jesus shows how, with His help, we may have a positive outcome in this life, and a positive ultimate destiny in the next life. He shows us the roles and functions of each member of the One - the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He unveils God’s Divine plan to reclaim corrupted human souls for entry into God’s Purpose, the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem, and the Family of God!