The artist’s perception is prone to error, as is ours.
I wonder if the artist ever read the Scriptures or did he only hear the stories from the lips of the monks and priests. It is easy to gather information second-hand and never go to the source. Easy but ….. our perception then becomes shaped by the thoughts of others. Their errors, prejudices and rejections tend to find a place called home in our own mind. If the artist’s perception of Michael slaying the dragon was intended to convey spiritual truth it failed. Michael never slays the dragon. I will explain shortly.
But first, my perception.
With WordPress I have been blessed to have people in many different parts of the world reading His Family Table. Facebook has also connected me with friends in far off lands like Pakistan, Cameroon and Israel. Through them I have witnessed the hunger for God and the sacrifices His children are making in their nations. And I fear, because of our own expression of Christianity, that we have fallen short of our calling.
In Pakistan a young man travels by bus to a distant village praying that he arrives. He is bringing Bibles and Christian literature at the risk of his life. There is urgency.
On the other side of the world we might tell a friend or neighbor what we believe if the subject comes up. In our politically correct nation we hesitate to acknowledge Jesus. You might lose a friend on Facebook or worse have people thinking you are some kind of a religious nut. Caring more about how we are perceived, than caring about the soul of another, stands in sharp contrast to the lives of His children in other nations.
Sharing God’s perception.
If we are ashamed and remain silent we deny our Savior. Those who believe in Jesus are called to be His witness by sharing what He has done for them. May this Christmas season be our opportunity to share God’s good news and not be stifled by the world around us.
This is how God says the dragon will meet its end.
“Then I saw another angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so hat he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.” (Revelation 20:1-3)
“When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the numbers of them is like the sand of the sea. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20: 7-10)
May God’s children here at home no longer be deceived clinging to comfort and silenced through our fear of man’s rejection. Jesus will have the last words and every knee shall bow before Him. And that maybe sooner than we think. Celebrate the Christmas season as you share your faith with every opportunity. The King is coming.
His Family Table 