Is it a harmless habit or a deadly addiction? For many it's a "window on the world" as well as a source of entertainment. It's a sensitive issue to say the least; this practice of watching television.
"And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak" (Revelation 13:15)
Even non-Christians are familiar with Revelation 13 and its cryptic message. In the end times a great beast arises out of the sea of humanity and, through the empowerment of "the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan" (Revelation 12:9), he achieves world-wide domination. He is aided by a sinister assistant who performs miracles and directs people to make an image to the beast, to which he gives breath so that the image even speaks.
It's a stretch to say that television is that beastly image, but there are some unsettling parallels. Television is an image that many literally worship through devoting vast amounts of time. Those who produce and program its content so that it "would even speak" assert tremendous influence over thinking and actions ("a mark on their right hand or on their forehead" (Revelation 13:16).
Perhaps it borders on paranoia to even consider similarities between television and the beastly image of Revelation 13, but the applications and lessons are valuable. Anything that dominates our time and influences our thinking is potential antichrist. And the systems of this world, through a variety of forms and methods, vie for this influence.
Perhaps one of the devil's great tricks is to have us looking for "666" and "the mark of the beast" all the while that we've allowed his beastly influence in its more subtle ways.
The only known remedy for evil influence is saturation in the things of the Lord. By craving time in the word, time in prayer, and time together with true believers, we powerfully counteract the influence of evil.
The battle belongs to those who take a stand strong, "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
Steve
"And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak" (Revelation 13:15)
Even non-Christians are familiar with Revelation 13 and its cryptic message. In the end times a great beast arises out of the sea of humanity and, through the empowerment of "the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan" (Revelation 12:9), he achieves world-wide domination. He is aided by a sinister assistant who performs miracles and directs people to make an image to the beast, to which he gives breath so that the image even speaks.
It's a stretch to say that television is that beastly image, but there are some unsettling parallels. Television is an image that many literally worship through devoting vast amounts of time. Those who produce and program its content so that it "would even speak" assert tremendous influence over thinking and actions ("a mark on their right hand or on their forehead" (Revelation 13:16).
Perhaps it borders on paranoia to even consider similarities between television and the beastly image of Revelation 13, but the applications and lessons are valuable. Anything that dominates our time and influences our thinking is potential antichrist. And the systems of this world, through a variety of forms and methods, vie for this influence.
Perhaps one of the devil's great tricks is to have us looking for "666" and "the mark of the beast" all the while that we've allowed his beastly influence in its more subtle ways.
The only known remedy for evil influence is saturation in the things of the Lord. By craving time in the word, time in prayer, and time together with true believers, we powerfully counteract the influence of evil.
The battle belongs to those who take a stand strong, "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
Steve
posted by steve @ 10:25 AM
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