Today, rebellion is everywhere. It is an out-of-harmony reality that we all seem to live with. This is a rebellious world. Rebellion is defined as an act of violent or open resistance to an established authority.
When putting this post together, I was binge-watching one of my favorite Netflix series. I realized I needed to look no further for indicators of where society is socially and morally.
Anna Stewart made an interesting observation in her article “Television Reflects Modern Society“. “How many people haven’t had the urge to murder one or two bad guys. Sell some marijuana to make ends meet. Or behave like a bad boss. There’s a little Dexter Morgan, Nancy Botwin and Jack Donaghy in everybody. Today, couch vigilantes get their kicks out of watching shows like “Dexter,” “Weeds” and “30 Rock,” not to mention seven other WGA-nommed TV shows.”
What we watch and hear today is as full of rebellion as it was in 2009. It is part of our plot lines and placed into our entertainment to draw us back over and over. Rebellion from government, governments rebelling against its people, rebellion in marriage and children rebelling against their parents. Rebellion against employers and companies rebelling against the people they make products for or against the environment. I watch as people rebel against the nature around them. People in movies even rebelling against their own bodies.
And what we see in society is no different. All of these attitudes and rebellious behaviors are played out daily in our cities, countries and homes.
Elements in our societies seem self destructive. Some want anarchy even though if there was anarchy many would not survive. Without laws, the floodgates holding back unbridled rebellion would collapse and even the anarchist could loose what they have, daughters, sons, homes, wealth, wives, husbands, security and peace.
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12.
Start of Rebellion
When will there be peace on earth? Why is there such suffering, pain and rebellion in the world?
Things were not always like this. There was a time that there was no rebellion, a time when things were in harmony.
Let’s read about the first rebellion. The Bible tells about the first rebellion and that it didn’t start on earth. The first rebellion was in heaven when an angel that protected the law of God rebelled. We learn about this in Ezekiel 28.
“You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.” Ezekiel 28:13-17.
In heaven, there is a garden of God called Eden. Lucifer was in a position close to God, a guardian cherub, and he rebelled.
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:12-14.
Then Revelation 12:12. “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”
Perfect Creation
When God created the Earth, He made a perfect planet, and there was harmony among all creation. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31.
Rebellion on Earth
Lucifer, whose name means “bearer of light”, or “Morning Star” was cast down. In his rebellion, he chose to be an “Adversary” or Satan.
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9 And mankind, being tempted by the serpent, sinned. This rebellion brought sin and death into what had been perfect and very good (Gen 3). From the time of rebellion until now, Satan has been causing rebellion, disharmony and unrest on Earth.
The two sides in the conflict.
“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.
Some believe that Michael is a created angel and others believe like Bible commentator Matthew Henry, that Michael is simply another of the many names for Jesus Himself. Although that is for a different study, we know that Michael is fighting with the faithful angels for God’s side and Satan and his angels fight on Satan’s side. And Satan lost. He and his angels were cast out.
We see two sides, and with only two sides, who will be the jury? Or the judge?
“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” 1 Corinthians 6:2-3.
We are created to judge the world and fallen angels. We were not made to perish. In fact, God never intended for anyone to be lost. In fact in Matthew 25:41 we understand that the “everlasting” fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. But Satan, understanding our important role in the great war that started in heaven, set out to taint the jury.
What does it take to be a juror in Canada or the USA. There are three basic requirements for jury duty. You must be a citizen of the country. You must be over 18 years and you must be a law abiding citizen. ( In the USA is says you cannot have been charged with a felony).
Satan, set out to destroy law abiding citizens in Eden. To make us law breakers makes us ineligible to be jurors. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev 12:17.
The fall of man was unfortunate. It not only made mankind part of Satan’s rebellion, it removed our ability to fulfill our purpose. But Jesus made a way to restore mankind by taking the penalty of sin upon himself. Then He gave us power to become sons and daughters of God again. He gave us power to be law abiding citizens.
Today, the devil knows he has a short time and realized one principle that by beholding, we become changed. And in these last days, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1Peter 5:8.
Consider the entertainment we watch and listen to in the context of the great war. We are all part of this great controversy and we all have a work to do in it. Consider that the war is still between God’s side and Satan’s side and every one of us is on one side or the other. By beholding we become changed. What are we beholding? Do we spend most of our days beholding evil, or sin? Do we behold rebellion? Do we act out rebellion in our lives?
How much time do we spend beholding God and contemplating the life of Jesus; the significance of the cross in restoring us or reconciling us to Him. How important is that to us in our daily thinking? While we were yet rebellious, Jesus died for us!
God’s Commandments, if you keep them, you are God’s. If you strive to keep them and fail from time to time, you have Jesus, your advocate with the Father. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4.
The first rebellion was over the Law of God in heaven. It has always been about the Law of God. Today we are told that the Law of God is done away with and we no longer need to keep it. This is a lie. Is this not Satan’s argument? Be not deceived. Your adversary is seeking whom he may destroy. He is making war with the remnant, those that keep the commandments of God. What better way to deceive the Christians than to turn them from God’s Law.
And what better way to turn people from God’s Law than to make rebellion attractive. Our entertainment today seeks to do just that. It aims to make stars idols. It takes God’s name in vain. It shows idol worship, whether that idol is money, or fame, or other God’s. There is no respect for God’s sabbath, in some cases claiming that God’s sabbath is on Sunday, the first day of the week and not the seventh day as God established. It glorifies disrespect for parents, often making parents seem out-of-touch, old fashioned or foolish. Entertainment glorifies killing and horror, adultery and riotous living. Entertainment shows elaborate schemes for stealing where the viewer is rooting for the thief. It also shows envy and covetousness.
Understand, as Christians, we are to turn away from the appearance of evil. Evil is sin and rebellion from God and His Law. Sin is the transgression of the Law. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4.
Things to do.
Realizing that breaking habits is hard, start making changes today. Here are a few suggestions that may help in your Christian walk.
1. Spend time beholding Jesus in His Word. Get to know the teaching s of Jesus.
2. Consider the cross and what it means. Meditate on it.
3. Reduce, then eliminate rebellious entertainment.
4. Do not follow the crowd in error. Study to show yourself approved unto God. Salvation is individual. save yourself.
5. The Bible says to wash your garments white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 22:14, “”Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” This is something we do for ourselves by the Grace of God.
6. Avoid rebellious people. Especially those living riotous lives.
7. As you move away from rebellious entertainment and people, surround yourself with people that seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness.
8. Spend time every morning speaking to God. Thanking Him for His sacrifice. Thanking Him that He has shown you truth in His Word and gave you a mind to understand wisdom.
God bless you and protect you in your walk with Him.
