Thought for Today

How are we doing? Many use the turn to the new year as a time to reflect. What are one’s goals for the year? What sort of changes might be needed? Or, are we living more or less in line with what we believe and espouse? Often, one finds things to be encouraged about as well as recognizing other things that might need attention.

How are we doing as Christians? How is our walk with Christ? Rather than looking at a broad range of topics, we’ll hone in on a couple of key issues. First, we’ll look at fear.

Are we living in fear? With all that is going on in the world, there are reasons to be afraid. Scripture tells us that in the last days men’s hearts will be failing them for fear of what is coming. One can speculate that in essence people will become so afraid that they’ll end up having heart attacks. That is a gruesome level of fear, isn’t it?

There are at least two fear-generating topics currently making the rounds of social media: UFO’s/orbs and Pope Francis opening portals into the spiritual realm (the world of the demonic). We’ll deal with the second of the two first.

It was claimed that on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis would open five portals on Christmas Eve. Via an unprecedented Roman Catholic ritual, he is deliberately opening up the Vatican, and the world, to demonic forces. That claim has taken on a life of its own. Potential ramifications are being heralded, even now, post Christmas Eve. Many “Christian” posts speak of how one must be ready for the Rapture, as the Pope’s actions are one more proof of Christ’s soon coming.

Could Christ come soon? Certainly. Do we need to be ready? Yes. Do I wish people would repent and come to faith in Christ? Yes. But is this sort of fear mongering helpful? Perhaps in rare cases, yes, but overall, no.

It turns our that the reports are at best misrepresentations, and more likely in at least some cases, outright lies. The report traces to a New York Post headline, where I suspect the writer chose “portals” precisely for its negative spiritual implications. The reality is that the special doors are opened up over several days, a symbolic ritual that has its roots in the Jewish year of jubilee, an event that was to happen ever 50 years. The opening of the doors—a symbolic opening of the way to God—is something the Roman Catholic Church does every 25 years.

Whether the ritual is valid or not isn’t the point. Nor am I a fan of Pope Francis, as there have been times he has directly contradicted biblical Christianity. The point is that what is being reported is a twisted falsehood. We live at a time when anything that is even remotely “Christian” must be turned into something terrible, here a ritual invoking the occult.

Why is this being reported in this way? Isn’t the idea of the leader of the largest church in the world opening up to and unleashing occult spiritual forces a frightening prospect? Isn’t it a way to make Christianity look like an evil, false religion? Isn’t it easier to keep people distracted when they are fearful? Isn’t it easier to manipulate people and public opinion when everyone is afraid? If lying helps to accomplish that goal, for many, that is all the more reason to lie (note: Jesus stated that Satan is the father of lies).

We’ve already mentioned how Scripture declares people will be massively afraid. There will come a point where terrifying spiritual signs will happen. Indeed, all creation will be shaken so that only what is unshakable can remain. For those outside of Christ, it will be fearful.

But we, as Christians, should not be afraid. Before turning to that topic, we’ll look at two more current fear-inducing examples.