This is perhaps going to be the great test of our times...
We have an evil, global totalitarian System - encompassing and linking all the major social institutions. This global System is getting more and more aligned to the side of Satan with every passing month - with a mixture of tacit consent and active approval from (it seems) the majority of the population - and only a few spiritually-religious individuals in explicit opposition.
Yet this evil System is also what keeps us alive. It is getting less and less capable of keeping us alive, as it gets more and more evil - nonetheless the The System is still what maintains us...
But, evil being evil, the Ahrimanic "lawful evil" that wants us all under micro-surveillance and total control; is giving-way to a wholly-negative, Sorathic, "chaotic evil" of each-against-all in short-termist, destruction.
And the great test is when we are in a situation of considering whether to defend the lesser against the greater evil... Should we do it?
It seems rational to defend the lesser evil? (At least, to some extent.) But is it in practice corrupting?
All 'viable' options are evil. People start-out recognizing that fact, but in the heat of battle or the routine of work; they 'forget' and become corrupted into supporting the lesser evil.
Instead of fighting on the side of God and Good in the spiritual war; people find themselves fighting on the side of Ahriman against Sorath - embroiled in civil war among the demons.
That is the test of our times: to fight for Good instead of for the lesser of evils.
It is the test of salvation.
6 comments:
If Ahrimanic evil wins, it's more "system".
If Sorathic wins, it's winter wolves.
Considering how history shows us that winter wolves never enslaved and brought low entire societies, I'll take my chances with the wolves.
And that system that "sustains us"? Most of the evil people areounbare by, for, and exist because of that system. I care as much for them as they do for whoever the media tells them to despise this week.
As for fighting. I'm more interested in an assault popcorn machine. Because I have every intention of ignoring the wails and teeth gnashing.
Sometimes our different religions converge in the most remarkable ways.... Read in it what you will...one hopes the battle of evil presages the arrival of the one.
The time appointed by G‑d for the Messianic redemption is a closely guarded secret.1 Nonetheless, we are offered many hints to recognize its proximity: when certain conditions come about, await the imminent coming of Mashiach.
Most of these conditions are quite disturbing, clearly displaying a situation of the very “bottom of the pit.”2 One major source describes the world-condition in those days as follows: increase in insolence and impudence; oppressing inflation; unbridled irresponsibility on the part of authorities; centers of learning will turn into bawdy houses; wars; many destitutes begging, with none to pity them; wisdom shall be putrid; the pious shall be despised; truth will be abandoned; the young will insult the old; family-breakup with mutual recriminations; impudent leadership.3
Other sources add: lack of scholars; succession of troubles and evil decrees; famines; mutual denunciations; epidemics of terrible diseases; poverty and scarcity; cursing and blaspheming; international confrontations nations provoking and fighting each other.4 In short, it will be a time of suffering that will make it look as if G‑d were asleep. These are the birthpangs of Mashiach, bearable only in anticipation of the bliss that follows them.
“When you see a generation ever dwindling, hope for him… when you see a generation overwhelmed by many troubles as by a river, await him.”5 “When you see nations fighting each other, look toward the feet of Mashiach.”6
Little wonder that some sages expressed apprehensions about those days in terms of, “Let [Mashiach] come, but let me not see him.”7 The prevailing attitude, however, is to await his coming in spite of all, even if thereafter we shall merit no more than sitting “in the shadow of his donkey’s dung!”8
The troubles and agony of chevlei Mashiach (birthpangs of Mashiach), however, are not unavoidable
@RJC - I personally do not believe that Jesus taught us to expect a second coming to 'finish' his work - such as we find in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. From basic understanding of what Jesus did - as well as the Fourth ('John') Gospel it seems clear to me that Jesus fully achieved what he set out to do.
Therefore although I regard these as the End Times, I do not regard them as presaging a Second Coming of Christ. Since the time of Jesus - Men have been able to choose to follow Him to Heaven - and that has not changed.
You and I live in these End Times because - broadly speaking, but in individually distinct ways - these times are what you and I need, would potentially most benefit from.
@DJ - You strike me as someone who believes in demons but not in God nor a life beyond biological death.
You talk of spiritual war as if it only had this-worldly and material consequences!
*Believing* this is not incoherent, but it is nihilistic; therefore, talking/ writing/ speculating about it (as you do) *is* incoherent, and suggests a failure (on your part) to follow-through your assumptions to their conclusions.
Yes. Thank you for the reminder that it requires great faith and constant seeking of the Word of God (as revealed to our hearts) to be able to maintain this perspective (God above all, at all times, with no compromise) in the midst of the heat of battle, where the temptation to want to repose is great, and we end up reposing on what is at-hand, out-there (different flavours of evil).
Evil is not bound to be coherent. That's why it is evil. Ahrimanic evil destroys comprehension by providing the means for life while obscuring the purpose (meaning) of life. Sorathic evil destroys the means of life so that the purpose of it may only be seen as an unintelligible chimeric shadow of an original intent. Both "are" antithesis of Logos and thus there is no choice present in regard to either one. They both destroy Life as types of non-being or anti-being.
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