The Devil Isn't Science Fiction

"Today's Devotion" For April 18, 2005

Read: Revelation 12:1-17; I Peter 5:8-11

THE DEVIL ISN'T SCIENCE FICTION

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." (I Pet. 5:8-9a)

There's a new television series called "Revelations." I've seen the previews, although I've chosen not to watch the program. The very name of the series is intriguing, not to speak of the religious overtones that are heavily advertised in the promos. I'm not certain if this program is classified as "Science Fiction" or "Horror," but it seems that anything that's ever related to the devil and evil ends up in one of those two categories. From what I've seen of the promos, "Revelations" is more "Science Fiction" than "Horror." Most likely, we can also be pretty certain that "Revelations" isn't going to emphasize Christ's victory over Satan or deliver the message of the Gospel.

In this day and age, evil and the devil are not considered real or viable "ideas" for rational, thinking people. Such things are the stuff of horror and science fiction novels and movies. Authors like Stephen King have made a name for themselves with such novels and movies. Then we find such a television series as "Charmed" where three sisters, who are "good" witches, fight evil and demons on a regular basis. Then there's the major "vampire and demon" series', "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel." Interestingly enough, in all three of these programs, there are "good" and "bad" witches, "good" and "bad" demons, and "good" and "bad" vampires. While the truth is that there is evil in the world and demons and the devil do exist, such programmatic offerings on television and movies which portray such characters serve to numb people to the reality of evil and the devil. People tend to pass the devil off as a "Science Fiction" character rather than the very real threat to humanity's life with God he really is.

John's vision from Jesus in Revelation makes it abundantly clear that the devil is working "overtime" to destroy God's people. Because of the picture language that's used, the picture of "an enormous red dragon," the reality of the devil's evil intentions toward God's children is often misunderstood and ignored. Peter also warns us of the devil's intent, encouraging us to stand firmly in faith in Jesus Christ, because He alone has defeated the devil, once and for all time.

The devil isn't "Science Fiction." He's very real and the sworn enemy of God and Christ's Church. He works diligently and tirelessly each day to try to draw us away from Jesus, often because we ignore or pooh-pooh his existence and presence in the world. He's furious that he's been defeated by Jesus and he seeks to find ways to draw us away from God. Yet, by God's grace and mercy in Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection we have the strength of faith and the power of God's Word to overcome the devil and face any evil that may come our way. Our sins are forgiven each day and the one who seeks to accuse us before God has no power over us. We rejoice with the "loud voice in heaven" that "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down" (Rev. 12:10).

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ that is mine because You have drawn me to Yourself and made me Your very own child through the washing of Holy Baptism. As I live for You in this world, I pray that You would never let me take evil and the devil for granted, but always be vigilant and alert for his attempts to lead me away from You. Help me to be an effective witness of Your love for the world in Jesus Christ so that others might not be led away from You by the devil to die forever, but that they would turn to You in Jesus Christ, and live forever with You in heaven. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
**********************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.