Isaiah Roman

Power Predators

From the beginning of mankind there has been the temptation of power. In the garden the two trees that were set apart as special were the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Life. The one tree that God reserved for himself was the Tree of Knowledge. Some have extrapolated from this that knowledge is power. They miss the point. It is the quest for power that drives us towards knowledge.

Knowledge in and of itself may enable us to do many things, but we still have to do those things. Without the willing effort of the individual, all the knowledge in the world will do nothing.

The test put before mankind was not one of knowledge, but of power; the desire to usurp. Having failed that test, we have become the recipients of our own curse; a curse received by us with the assistance of the machinations of our enemy.

Lucifer knew that his only shot at power was dependent upon us. If he could convince us that we should join with him in his attempt at usurpation, he would gain in his ability to control us. Unfortunately he believed that this gathering of control would force God into a dilemma between his sovereignty and his justice. This is simply not possible.

Because we have received this curse, we do horrible things to each other. Knowingly, or tacitly we all have used others as prey. When we do these things we sometimes feel guilt, and sometimes pass them off. Each time you pass them off your heart becomes a little harder. The hardness of the heart of the individual then drives them forward towards worse and worse behavior.

So, the battle rages on. We have, in our old age as a race, become experts at hunting power. In big ways and small ways we prey upon each other for measures of power. Men prey upon women, women prey upon the young, the young prey upon adults; race against race, sex against sex, class against class we all strive for advantage. Some do it with purpose, some just because it’s natural.

Those who prey upon others with purpose are growing more powerful, though not more numerous. In fact, their numbers are kept purposefully small so that the power need not be shared too widely. These people prey upon each other to keep their numbers small and strong. The battle between light and dark we are witnessing today is just a refining of the predator instinct.

From time to time God has stepped in as an equalizer. He used a flood, foreign kingdoms, the heat of the desert, destruction and finally His only Son. There will be only one more great event that will rectify the balance one more time. This last rectification will last a thousand years, and then will come the inevitable end.

This knowledge, the knowledge of the Truth of all things, keeps everything else in order and focus. This knowledge gives a sense of peace. This knowledge is simple. In the end, God wins; Satan looses. In this conflict there is no middle ground. If you try to stand on the fence you will become prey. The only refuge is in the arms of God.

Which side are you on?