| Jon D. Hannum 08 |
| THROUGH A GLASS (mirror) DARKLY |
| We read in 1 Cor. 13:12 - "For now we see through a glass, darkly; ... now I (we) know in part ", viz., we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror. Are we a brightlight unto the world(1), or merely a reflection(2) of someone else's illumination or religious radiance? Often we are unable to see clearly due to the inability to cast (shine) enough light onto the object/subject to recognize it for what it is, or is not. |
| Light drives out darkness while darkness invades where there is no light. (1) |
| We read in scripture that as the endtimes approach, increasing spiritual darkness will descend upon mankind, aberrant and counterfeit religious persuasions will greatly increase, and there will be a falling away(3) (apostasia) from The Faith and the Truth of God. Those times are upon us now! |
| "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."(4) In this Age, the religious-eyes of the unbelieving world are obscured from the Truth. Believers are under relentless attack in an effort to distort their vision/discernment and corrupt their understanding of God's purpose, Plan, and Being. |
| The enemies of God must attempt to dupe mankind regarding its origin, the true Nature of God, and the fellowship offered to mankind, by God Himself. Therefore, we have the onslaught of e.g., Darwinism vs. Creationism. The Darwinian theorem removes God from the equation of life, renounces Nature as being a Godly creation, and scoffs at any portended relationship with a God creator. |
| The invading darkness enters where there is too little or insufficient light to drive it back from whence it came. Darkness has no power of its own, rather it fills the void left by the exiting light, be it in a spiritual sense or in your garage as you close the door and flick the switch. Incipient darkness in a man's life, a nation or even a church is the direct result of insufficient light of The Gospel, light of The Word, and/or brilliance of the Glory of God. Today, this condition is rapidly escalating and deepening in the Middle East, as well as, spreading to all four corner of the globe. |
| Scripture makes a clear distinction between the spiritual "light in the Lord" and "the light of this world"(5). Forces of darkness continually strategize to 'counterfeit' and 'imitate' the works of Christ and His powers. The enemy masquerades as an angel of light and will deceive many because of their lack of spiritual discernment. |
| Shadows are the result of objects placed in-between the light-source and the dark cast of the shadow (eclipse). America is coming under a cloud of religious, political and economic shadows. As God is systematically driven out from the founding American ethic, In God We (place our) Trust, the consequences of His ouster are becoming manifestly evident. Sweeping into the void from God's ouster are social-progressive "Christian" doctrines, NewAge-type religious-cults, and a socialized moral relativism never before seen in America. |
| We read in the book of Daniel,(5) God places kings on their thrones and He removes others, as He so chooses. Applied meaning: God gives to a nation the leadership they deserve at the time. God has chosen a king for America, for the next four years, are we ready for such a pivotal choice? The next POTUS will bring about seismic change in our domestic governmental priorities, realignment of US diplomatic initiatives, and collaborative legislative actions that will dynamically influence our currency-parity and military readiness. 'Dont step on Superman's cape' and do not let God be run out of our nation or both will, in all likelihood, be in the spectator seats when the raging battle comes to consume. |
| As the end of this dispensational age approaches, the spiritual discernment, wisdom and judgment of the church must be mature and without error or fault, if it is to rightly separate the increasing 'shining of this world' from the eternal flame of God's glory. Already counterfeit shining can be detected from the four corners of the secular/political arena, while false religious doctrines lead prominent public personalities and others further into captivity. |
| Polish and fill with new oil the lamps of those who have lost their spiritual brightness while encouraging others out of their darkness. We all were in spiritual darkness at one time and someone known to us or not, spoke or prayed a Word-of-Light into our life. No one was ever 'saved' or 'delivered' by a reflection from an external light source. The darkness is dispelled by the Light of the Living Word being internalized within the individual and not just reflected from another person or institution. |
| The bloodless and sinless gospel preached today in so many church venues, along with its moral relativism, is obscuring the Truth of Christ's commandments, precepts, and decrees. Those following such heretical doctrines are literally darkening their window upon the saving grace of the Gospel. When the nefarious eschatological (endtime) darkness is released upon mankind, along with God's judgments brought to bear on an unbelieving and sin-ridden world, those without the light of God's Word will have to grapple with the Tribulation Period through their own strength. Two-thirds plus of the global population is prophesized to be annihilated during the seven year Tribulation Period. Don't be a part of the two-thirds. Step out from in front of the Glass Darkly and be a spiritual light to the darkening world, if you have not done so already. Position yourself where the light of Christ can be seen and known through you. |
| (1) Matt. 5:14 - "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." |
| (3) 2 Th. 2:3 - "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away |
| first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; ..." |
| (4) 2 Cor. 4:4 - "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the |
| gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." |
| (5) Dan. 2:21-23 - "And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives |
| wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding." |
| "He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him." |
| (6) (Eph. 5:8) and (Jhn. 11:9-Kjv) |
| Collage Panel - Jon D. Hannum, Ph.D. (2008) - aamen.org - amen ministries@hotmail.com |
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| Jon D. Hannum, Ph.D. Amen Ministries of Austin amen_ministries@hotmail.com |