Let's begin with the Word...
Meditate:
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellers, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
Pay particular attention to the two portions of scripture that you have just read.
1. Daniel 3:1-3 - State officials were called to the "dedication" of "the image." Those that had the leadership over the people within their jurisdiction were present at this worship service. And, in full sight of the people, they paid homage to a decree of the king. Day you think that would have had a profound effect on the people who were watching their leaders? Do you think that some would have reasoned that because "governor" X and "mayor" Y is doing it, I see no problem in doing it too?
2. Matthew 27:15-20 - When faced with the decision to ask for the freedom of Barabbas, a known insurrectionist, trouble maker and murderer or Jesus Christ, The Son of God, the Great Physician, who was it that influenced the people to make the decision to ask for Barabbas? In the face of so much evidence regarding who Jesus was, how was it that the chief priests and elders had s much control over the people? Did you know that Barabbas literally means 'son of the father'? Bar = (son of) Abba = (Father) The decision then, was between the True Christ and the antichrist...
Let me share with you Ecclesiastes 1:9 - There is nothing new under the sun. Because it has happened before, it will, it is happening again, albeit in a different context, but soon, the decision will be again, "who do you choose, Christ or anti-christ?"
We have set a Biblical framework, let's now look out into the world to see what is going on.
Headline: Some Americans are skeptical about taking a Covid vaccine. Could religious leaders convince them?
Let's read some of the article:
As U.S. regulators prepare to approve at least two highly effective Covid-19 vaccines, questions remain about who will be given priority access, how the drugs will be distributed and, to the distress of some public health officials, whether enough of the population will be willing to take a vaccine. One group of people who could help encourage vaccination is faith leaders, who have the ability to reach communities that might otherwise be skeptical.
“The vital role of religious leaders is going to be the framing and meaning of protecting oneself and protecting others,” Mimi Kiser, a senior program director at the Interfaith Health Program at Emory University, told America. “It’s going to be a bigger and similar job to the mask challenge...”
While most Americans appear willing to get vaccinated against Covid-19, there is still resistance, including from some Catholic leaders...
[I wonder where the resistance is coming from, and why there is resistance]
John Blevins, the director of the Interfaith Health Program, told America that it is helpful for religious leaders to correct misinformation about vaccines, especially when they are addressing people of the same faith tradition, but that more is needed.
Public health experts said that faith leaders can leverage the trust of their congregations when it comes to encouraging the use of vaccines, especially in communities of color that have been subjected to historical abuses in the public health system.
“Communities really wanted to hear from some of their trusted messengers and trusted sources in the community,” said Dr. Morita,…“We found within our African-American communities, many of them really have put a lot of confidence and trust in their religious leaders.”
So the city not only worked with faith leaders to offer flu shot clinics at churches but provided public health resources to faith leaders and in some instances, even encouraged them to be vaccinated in front of their congregations...
“It’s really important that public health leaders try not to just use religious communities and religious leaders to unilaterally disseminate the messages they want to disseminate,” he said.
Instead, they should collaborate with faith leaders to disperse public health messages “in such a way that religious leaders, faith communities and people of faith can both receive those messages and repeat those messages, while being comfortable that they align with their own religious teachings and perspectives.”
Ok, so the religious leaders are being asked to help "persuade" the people to go along with the program. Are there any other strong voices adding weight to the discussion?
Headline: De Blasio urges New Yorkers to embrace COVID-19 vaccine at Bronx church service
The devil may be in the details, but he’s not in the coming coronavirus vaccine, a Bronx city councilman and Mayor Bill de Blasio said during a Sunday church service, vowing to show New Yorkers the shot is nothing to fear.
“I know there’s some people that are afraid,” said Democratic Councilman Fernando Cabrera during services at the New Life Outreach International church, which he also serves as pastor.
“I want to tell everybody, you’re not getting the 666 in this vaccine, OK?” he continued, invoking the biblical number of the beast. “I want to tell you straight-up, there is no 666, there’s no conspiracy, I’ll be the first one to get it if I’m allowed to...”
“In a matter of days, the first vaccine arrives in New York City,” said de Blasio, seemingly volunteering himself and Cabrera to demonstrate that the vaccine is not harmful.
“When it’s our turn, councilmember, you and I will be there together, and we’ll show people that it’s safe and that it’s gonna bring us forward,” he said.
[Hmmm....anybody else?]
Headline: Obama, Bush, Clinton Say They're Willing To Get Coronavirus Vaccine On Camera
Who better to promote a product than a former president?
How about three?
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton are willing to lend their star power for a good cause, saying this week that they would publicly take a coronavirus vaccine, once it's available in the U.S., [why?] to encourage skeptical Americans to do the same.
Obama said that if Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, thought the vaccine was safe and effective, then he would get his shot.
I don't want to take up much more of your time so ponder this enlightening paragraph in light of Ecclesiastes 1:9 and all that you have just read.
Those who honor the Bible Sabbath will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth. Their conscientious scruples will be pronounced obstinacy, stubbornness, and contempt of authority. They will be accused of disaffection toward the government.
Ministers who deny the obligation of the divine law will present from the pulpit the duty of yielding obedience to the civil authorities as ordained of God. In legislative halls and courts of justice, commandment keepers will be misrepresented and condemned. A false coloring will be given to their words; the worst construction will be put upon their motives.
The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. GC 592.3
My friend, the only reason God has made these things public through the pages of history and prophecy, is because He is serious about saving YOU! Are you serious about being saved by Him? He's promised that:
John 6:37 - All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I pray that you have found both enlightenment and hope today, and you have committed or re-committed to being saved by "our Great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
Maranatha!
IMPORTANT:
This devotional is for the purpose of drawing parallels between the Bible and the events taking place in our world. It is not the intention of the writer to cause the reader to think despairingly about the persons outlined in the preceding news articles. The writer therefore prohibits the use of this piece of work to be used in order to strengthen the arguments or preferences of any of the readers.
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