Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, "Come!"... And out came another horse, bright red. Its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth, so that people should slay one another, and he was given a great sword. - Revelation 6:1, 4

A curious thing happens when you read the Bible through in a year, you find yourself thrust into the rough and tumble of the Apocalypse on the day we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Though it may seem incongruous to drag this tumult of the final conflict into this joyous season, they really do belong together as the gospel story reveals in its opening.

While the birth of Christ was warmly received by those who were "righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25)," His birth wrought consternation in the hearts of those who gave no thought to God. When the wise men came seeking "he who has been born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:2)", King Herod launch the first volley of the war that rages on through this day and finds its conclusion in the closing chapters of the Bible. Only after that most violent conflict, and the complete elimination of the current sin-tainted creation, can the people of God really celebrate in the new creation:

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." - Revelation 21:1-5

Be aware then brothers and sisters, there's a war on, and we're each on one side or the other. Are you a soldier of Christ? Then put on the uniform (Ephesians 6:10-20), study the instruction manual, learn the discipline of a good soldier (Hebrews 12:3-11) and swear allegiance to your Commander in Chief (Romans 10:9-11). The world is arrayed against those who would follow Christ (just look what the world did to Him). Will we cower behind locked doors (John 20:19) or go forth into the world in the Spirit and power of God to proclaim His victory over sin in the cross of Christ and His coming victory over every form of evil.

Let us devote ourselves, in this season and throughout the year, to receiving and enjoying every good gift of God, while turning our eyes and hearts from every form of worldliness that would tempt us from the path. The Apostle John says it most simply:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17

God bless us one and all!

Pressly