All of Humanity is in a constant battle. The Battle of Kingdoms is a continual challenge that we are engaged in with every choice and with every decision that we make. This is not optional. We cannot opt‑out. As long as we are on this planet and in-time, our dilemma and our challenge will remain. No one is exempt. Not even Jesus, God Himself, when He was on the earth and clothed in humanity. He had to choose which Kingdom He would honor and which Kingdom He would serve. He had a choice to make. Understand this, When God Himself as Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, was on the earth, He faced the same Kingdom challenges that we encounter continuously today and everyday. We also must choose. It is not optional.
5 Then the devil took Him up to a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the habitable world in a moment of time [ [a] in the twinkling of an eye]. 6 And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will. 7 Therefore if You will do homage to and worship me [ [b] just once], it shall all be Yours.
Luke 4:5-7, Amplified Bible Classic Edition
Here we are presented with what we would consider to be an amazing example of the Battle of Kingdoms at the highest level. This battle is as real as real can be. It is not just imagined or just supposed. We are in a battle for our lives. We are at war. Sadly, many, no most do not know that they are in a battle and the results of their lives speaks loudly of their void of understanding.
In fact, some incorrectly believe there is no God – no propensity for good, and there is no Satan – no propensity for evil. Que sera’ sera’, whatever will be, will be.
The propaganda machine of the Kingdom of Darkness paints a hopeless picture. I apologize that my examples are from older songs. I am not current with the music of the Kingdom of Darkness. While these examples may be older, their message remains the same – Hopelessness and despair without remedy! Take a listen:
Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)
Song as sung by Doris Day
Lyrics
When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, “What will I be?
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?” Here’s what she said to me “Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be The future’s not ours to see Que sera, sera
What will be, will be”
When I grew up and fell in love
I asked my sweetheart, “What lies ahead? Will we have rainbows day after day?”
Here’s what my sweetheart said “Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be The future’s not ours to see Que sera, sera
What will be, will be”
Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, “What will I be?” Will I be handsome? Will I be rich?”
I tell them tenderly “Que sera, sera
Whatever will be, will be The future’s not ours to see Que sera, sera
What will be, will be Que Sera, Sera!”
What a sad existence! It is all futile! We have no hope, because whatever will be, will be. Our choices and our behavior have no consequences nor effect.
Is That All There Is?
as sung by Peggy Lee
Lyrics
I remember when I was a very little girl, our house caught on fire
I’ll never forget the look on my father’s face as he gathered me
up in his arms and raced through the burning building out to the pavement
I stood there shivering in my pajamas and watched the whole world go up in flames
And when it was all over I said to myself, is that all there is to a fire
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
If that’s all there is
And when I was twelve years old, my father took me to a circus, the greatest show on earth
There were clowns and elephants and dancing bears And a beautiful lady in pink tights flew high above our heads
And so I sat there watching the marvelous spectacle I had the feeling that something was missing
I don’t know what, but when it was over
I said to myself, “is that all there is to a circus?
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
If that’s all there is
Then I fell in love, head over heels in love, with the most wonderful boy in the world
We would take long walks by the river or just sit for hours gazing into each other’s eyes
We were so very much in love
Then one day he went away and I thought I’d die, but I didn’t and when I didn’t I said to myself, is that all there is to love?
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing I know what you must be saying to yourselves
if that’s the way she feels about it why doesn’t she just end it all?
Oh, no, not me I’m in no hurry for that final disappointment for I know just as well as I’m standing here talking to you when that final moment comes and I’m breathing my first breath,
I’ll be saying to myself
Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
The Battle of Kingdoms is, has been and will always be the most dominant challenge for each of us. The entirety of humanity on planet Earth and in-time is faced with this dilemma continually. We are bombarded without end, ad nauseum. If we do not know the truth, we can incorrectly believe that this is how it is and that we have no choice, no say so in the matter. At the beginning of humanity, the first couple was faced with the choice of which Kingdom they would believe, and which Kingdom they would follow. Would it be the relationship and the fellowship with their Friend with whom they spent time in the Garden? Or, would their being exposed to the knowledge of good and evil constrain them to form a religious system of regulation and compliance to govern, to monitor and to manage their lives?
We will pick up on this Battle of Kingdoms in our blog next week, How Am I to Live, Part 2.
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