Revelations 15: The second beast was PERMITTED to give life to the first beast

"In Satan's lair today, there are more than a few laughs," he said, brooding. "But Revelation 1:17 should provide comfort and strengthen the resolve of all believers—to persevere, to not grow weary in doing good, nor falter in their prayers for a world where good order is restored."  

"Amen," someone murmured weakly. It was Gladstone. We were exhausted. All our efforts seemed to fall on the ears of many who seemed to delight in unrighteousness. The rise of heresy felt like a direct challenge to our faith in the Lord's omnipotence, and the overthrow of good order only deepened this sense. This was uncharted territory, and we were drained. 

"A few thoughts came to mind as I reflected on the verses below" he continued, and he read out loud from chapter 13 of the book of Revelation. He read from verse 15:

"The second beast was granted authority to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed"

He paused then said, "I've never really paid attention to the fact that the second beast was PERMITTED to give life to the first beast. Let me emphasize that again: the 2nd BEAST was permitted to give life to the 1st BEAST".

16 The second beast required all people—both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead.

17 This mark would prevent anyone from buying or selling unless they had it—the name of the beast or the number of its name…"

Raising his head from the Bible, he said, "Never in history has it been easier to stop someone from buying or selling. Today, if just two or three companies or platforms blacklist you—often at the behest of a single individual, for any reason—you are utterly cut off. Even entire nations have been blacklisted."  

Closing the Bible with a resounding thud, he continued, "These are indeed dark times. Yet, as I said, Revelation 1:17 should provide comfort and strengthen the resolve of all believers—to persevere, no matter the cost. This may very well be the long-awaited battle. Prepare to fight it. What does not defeat you makes you stronger."

I rest 

#dk
#OldManInTheMolue 

As 2024 draws to a close…

#OldManInTheMolue: As the Year Draws to an End, Give Thanks

Everything that happened, happened for a reason—both the prayers answered and those that were not.

Never forget:

You were made of stardust.

You belong to the universe, and the universe belongs to you.

You are not an interloper without a purpose.

Be profound in your humility, your gentleness, and your charity. Mimic the universe, so seamlessly that the universe can no longer tell where it ends and where you begin. Blur the lines between when the universe thinks in silence and when it speaks through you.

Align yourself with all the goodness in the universe. In doing so, you may find that the universe chooses to reveal to you its deepest, most profound thoughts.

Jesus Gives Us a Roadmap:

1. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”

2. “And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Is God the Universe?

Is the Universe God?

Hear St. Paul in Acts 17:28:

“For in Him we live and move and have our being.”

What do you think?

Whatever you believe, carry this truth into the new year: You are part of something greater, and it is part of you. Walk in love, humility, and alignment with the universe—and find your purpose in the rhythm of it all.

#DK

… and they complain about immigration… reverse immigration…

And now, they complain about immigration… reverse immigration.

Angels must look down from the windows of heaven and laugh at us…..

At our running hither and tither,

seeking to take advantage of one or the other,

rolling our ill gotten gains up the sides of the mountain (of greed)

Men acting like animals, with not religion (or creed)

Only to have it all roll back to the base of the mountain…

But the laugh only that first time…

Subsequently, they weep as we do the same thing over and over again trying to scale the mountain of greed - trying to get to its peak where we might receive accolades from the greedy who went before us….

Trapped in this Sisyphean task, we lose every vestige of our divine nature - becoming like the termites which appear in their millions after the first rains with glorious wings… wings which very quickly are lost aand like them, men once was celestial, created in the image of God, become terrestrial and like all terrestrial….

.. there’s the story of the eagle which broke its wings and while it recuperated, lived with barnyard chickens and with the passage of time, became just like them and forfeit it was one of them…. and would gaze at the skies wistfully as eagles soared on high, gliding majestically, hardly flapping their wings…. Yet all it had to do was flap its wings again… and fly….

So it is with men encumbered with the lust of the flesh… which drives them

Lust of the flesh?

What is that?

Here’s the answer from AIChatbot:

#Quote: “The phrase "works of the flesh" is commonly associated with the Christian theological context, particularly in the New Testament. It refers to behaviors and actions that are contrary to the spiritual life and teachings of Christianity, often seen as sinful or morally wrong.

This concept is notably mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV), where the Apostle Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruit of the Spirit." The works of the flesh include:

- Sexual immorality

- Impurity

- Debauchery

- Idolatry

- Witchcraft

- Hatred

- Discord

- Jealousy

- Fits of rage

- Selfish ambition

- Dissensions

- Factions and envy

- Drunkenness, orgies, and similar activities

Paul emphasizes that those who engage in such behaviors will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Instead, he advocates for living according to the Spirit, which produces qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (the "fruit of the Spirit") #Unquote

Read it yourself….

Conclusion: Do not despair when they try to bury you…. Do not shed your wings… do not drop in your station… do not become a barnyard chicken- keep striving….

… yes they buried you,

Yes the soul may not be what you want, but grow!!

You owe it to God to grow!

It’s your destiny to grow…

To flap your wings once broken and fly with it as it is…. You may not be able to glide for a hundred miles at a time, but you can flit around like a butterfly… a black butterfly ….

Didn’t tell you about that song?

Black butterfly by #DenieceWilliams?

I did?

Now you must listen to it: https://youtu.be/KFr4k6ZcXqI?si=Mct6qrPjjqSwCHS4

A Painful Faith. An Epistle to Susan On Faith, Works, and the Refusal to Give Up

 A Painful Faith

An Epistle to Susan On Faith, Works, and the Refusal to Give Up

Dear Susan

By your argument, why would the ungodly be justified when they are imperfect?

Are you suggesting that the godly — those who put their faith in Christ — will somehow be passed over because they are godly,
while the ungodly who put their faith in Christ will be justified because they are ungodly?

I confess, I do not fully understand why Paul felt the need to go to such extremes to make this point.

---

Scripture and the Question of Holiness

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
— 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV)

The Beatitudes say nothing like,
“Blessed are the ungodly, for they shall be justified.”

And let us remember — Paul’s Letter to the Romans was written nearly ten years before the Gospel of Mark, the very first of the Gospels.

So while not casting aspersions on Paul’s writing,
shall I throw away Christ’s simple, uncluttered teachings
for one which seems counterintuitive and beyond my ken?

No.

And if it is beyond your ken, dear Susan,
why belabor yourself with it?

What Paul Might Have Meant

Perhaps the answer lies in Paul’s own lament —
his confession of inner conflict:

“What I want to do, I do not do,
but what I hate, I do.
Oh wretched man that I am!
Who shall deliver me from this body of death?”

That is not the boast of a righteous man.
It is the cry of a broken one —
a man aware of his sin,
yet resolute not to give up on God.

This, I believe,
is what Paul meant when he spoke of
“the justification of the ungodly.”

It is not encouragement
for sinners who wallow in their sinfulness.
It is comfort for those who,
despite repeated failure,
refuse to give up on God.

I may be one of them.
Perhaps Paul was too.

---

A Painful Faith

To refuse to give up on Christ
is excruciating.

Why?

Because the Lord will turn His face away —
He cannot bear to look upon your sinful visage.

Your walk with Christ becomes
a walk behind Christ —
a one-sided love affair.

You follow,
reaching forward,
trudging and tagging along,
refusing to “go away.”

For in your heart you echo Peter’s cry:

“Lord, to whom shall I go?
You have the words of life.”

That, I believe,
is the faith Paul spoke of.

It is not a passive faith.
It is an active, aching, persistent faith.

A faith that propels you
to follow One
who seems to have little affection for you.

It is, in truth,
a painful faith.

When the Lord Feels the Pull

Here is the mystery:

Even when you do not touch His garment
like the woman with the issue of blood,
He still feels the pull of your heart.

He feels His grace flowing out
to one who will not give up.

And always, in such moments,
the Lord is overwhelmed with compassion.

Overwhelmed,
He gives in.

Remember the woman He called a dog?
Her humility moved Him
to grant her request.

---

The Embrace That Justifies

When the Lord turns and embraces you,
that embrace —
that is what justifies you.

And when you are justified,
your sinful nature begins to die.

And when your sinful nature dies,
once again the Lord looks upon your face,
and can tolerate your presence

in His holy company.

Faith, Works, and the Refusal to Give Up

Does this help, Susan?

You must count the ungodly man’s refusal to give up
as works —
for in this example,
it truly is work.
Literal, exhausting
labor of the soul.

So then, we return
to where we began:

Faith without works is dead.

Final Question

Did Paul, at the time of writing Romans, see himself as an ungodly man?
That, dear Susan, is a question for you.

I rest my case.

Don Kenobi 

Dec-8-2024

#Faith #Grace #Romans #Paul #Justification #Christianity #Works #Perseverance #DonKenobi #MolueMonologue #BeStill

#OldManInTheMolue on #BlackHistoryMonth

#MolueMonologue – Soliloquy: “God’s Gift to Humanity”

(Lights up. One man in a Molue seat. Worn cap, clenched fist. He looks straight ahead—not at the audience—but through history.)

OLD MAN:
Let me say something I’m not sure has ever been said—
At least not this directly:

The African American is God’s gift to humanity.

Let that… sink in.

Without the African American,
There would be no America as we know it.
Period.

Even Rush Limbaugh—
Yes, that Rush Limbaugh—once admitted as much.

Without enslaved Africans?
America would’ve been just another oversized British outpost.

Something like… Australia.
Great at cricket.
Maybe rugby.
But without the wealth…
The might…
The nerve to dream of independence.

Think about it.

European settlers—without free labor?
They’d have struggled to survive,
Let alone build a global economic engine.

Australia didn’t rebel.
Didn’t reinvent itself.
Didn’t even change its spellings.
Why?
Because it didn’t get rich.

But America?
America got rich.
Off the backs of stolen people.

Africans.
Enslaved.
Exploited.
Erased.

#TheyBuiltThat.

African Americans built that joint.
And every racist in America knows it.
That’s the war you’re watching.
It’s not politics.
It’s panic.

Why does Mike Pence still cling to Trump like wet fabric?
Why are some Americans flirting with domestic terrorism?

Because in their soul of souls…
They know.

And they’re scared.

Scared of reckoning.

But what reckoning?
What revenge?

That’s projection.
They see themselves in the mirror and assume we’ll come back swinging with the same cruelty they’ve always known.

They forget:
Informed cruelty is not in our DNA.

Only a certain kind of people could engineer the Holocaust—
On that scale.
With that cold efficiency.

It wouldn’t have happened anywhere else.
Not like that.
Not that thorough.
History still shudders.

Back to America.

Without African Americans?
No revolution.
No innovation.
No jazz.

Their labor birthed wealth.
Wealth birthed specialization.
Specialization birthed invention.

And many of those inventions?
Black minds.
Stolen ideas.
White-owned patents.

You think the cotton gin was invented to ease slave suffering?

Please.

If a slave died, they were replaced.
No one was investing in kindness.
The math didn't care.

The machine was built not out of pity—
But profit.

And we even have the name of the man who truly invented it.
(That’s another monologue.)

Blacks made America great.
And they will Make America Great Again.

Yeah.
I said it.
#MAGA.
#KAG.

Through jazz.
Through art.
Through struggle.
Through soul.

Still in chains—yet fought in WWII.
Fought for a world’s freedom they still didn’t enjoy.

Let me say that again.
Still. In. Chains.
Yet fighting for the freedom of the world.

Israel?
Owes its existence in part to the African American war effort.

Speaking of bravery—
The Tuskegee Airmen.

Painted their tails red.
Bright red.
In the age of stealth.

Message?
“Mess with our convoy… and see what happens.”

And the Germans?
They saw red.
They felt dread.

That’s not just courage.
That’s legacy.

They climbed mountains with weights on their backs.
Sometimes they reached the top.
Sometimes they didn’t.
But they climbed anyway.

To the racists?
Live your life.
Nobody’s checking for you that deeply.

To our brothers in the diaspora—
Our Black Butterflies—
We salute you.

To our sisters?
You are the best of us.

I watched Ledisi sing “I Blame You” on #BlackGirlsRock…
And it hit me like thunder:

The music.
The power.
The poise.

You, my sister, sit at the pointy spire of human evolution.

So I’ll end where I began:

Let the record reflect…

The African American is God’s gift to humanity.

I rest my case.

(Lights dim. Silence holds for a beat before fadeout.)

#dk
#OldManInTheMolue

My name? You MAY call me the #WatchManInTheMolue.

Still working on this - the longest 'episode' of the #MolueChronicles... but given the rise of in the stock and value of conspiracy theories, I think I have a duty to post my unfinished 'Chronicle' about this cancer which threatens democracies everywhere....

Episode?

Yes yes #TheOldManInTheMolue is a series...

What the heck you think I been doing?

I used to be an engineer - and right now, I'm trying to create art through writing its always been my passion (thanks for asking!)

My name? You MAY call me the #WatchManInTheMolue.

Still recall December 1986 at Iyana-Offa, NYSC camp, Near Ibadan, second batch of Corpers. As we stood in line waiting for our 'Primary Assignments', I said to my Best Camp Buddy Rotimi Oyekan (Yes same one - left handed):

"If I am posted to a factory, it means God wants me to practice Engineering - if I am posted to teach in a school, then God wants me to be a Writer!"

I thought I was being smart - loading the dice against God - knowing there were hundred of us and almost every one wanted to be posted to the few factory openings they were, and I REALLY only wanted to write. Studying engineering I decided long before I graduated was a mistake. You were good in maths, Physics and Chemistry and everyone assumed you would study engineering - so I applied and got accepted to study Engineering - Metallurgical Engineering. How did I end up graduating in Electrical Engineering? Hmmmmmm How many hours do you have to hear my explanation?

Anyway.... here's my story.... wait! There was a story before this - Thoko made me publish it befre I felt ready - it too was an 'unfinished chrnicle'

#ObiomaTheTailor walked over to #TheOldManInTheMolue and whispered in his ears.

#ObiomaTheTailor walked over to #TheOldManInTheMolue and whispered in his ears.

How he reminded me of my Dad - who whispered louder than he spoke: I loved that man my Father Edward - he went much too soon.

"I will like to speak about the evils of Conspiracy Theories To The House" he whispered.

"What exactly about Conspiracy Theories?" The OldMan whispered back.

“That it is a black art - on the same level as Witchcraft - can I?" Obioma who now called himself Timothy St Paul implored.

The old man looked askance at him and replied "I'm not sure.... talk to us about it first”.

So we left our seats and went to the back of the Molue and spoke in whispers.

"Give us a dry run Tim, what exactly do you mean?”

“I’ve been thinking” he said “That those who spread conspiracy theories which they cannot themselves prove, are engaged in the black art of witchcraft”

“Oh dear” The #Old Man chuckled “What is your argument? Speak to us as you would the HOUSE

Clearing his throat he said to me “Wish me luck” then laughed.

I felt genuine warmth towards him.

Clearly out of his comfort zone, he never gave up - always trying to contribute to the culture of learning he’d met in this Molue - which we call ‘The House’. He was a thinking man and so was gloriously alive!

“Good luck” I said. He smiled then launched: ”None of the 10 commandments specifically tells us to avoid the practice of Witchcraft yet we know it is abhorrent to God…..forbidden by…”
“Start again” the Old man said curtly, Put it more elegantly - you have a point - drive it home intact!”

“Thank you Sir” Obioma said. Clearing his throat, he started all over again:

“Failing to follow any or all of the ten commandments leaves us open to all known….” stopping himself, he said “Let me take that again - let me say it in a more positive manner”

He raised his voice then launched forth:“If you follow the ten commandments, there is no possibility you will fall into the practice of necromancy - the use of the dark arts to cause harm, control, or even death to others….”  He looked at the Old man who nodded his approval, and continued”

“When we bear tales or spread conspiracy theories - to harm others by destroying their reputations and controlling they way they are perceived or en-graced by others, we practice dark arts! Simple!” 

Have you spread conspiracy theories? Have you destroyed the reputations of people you dislike or envy? Do you devoted your precious time manipulating the way others are perceived in order to damage and deny their being en-graced by others? Do you… have you hastened the death of others with your malice?

Heaven forbid that you have!
Holy man or woman that you are?
Prayer-warrior awaiting the second coming of The Lord?

Heaven forbid….. You who spread malice do you consider yourself a Christians still?” 

His sounded angry - very angry and seemed to be out of breath at the end of each sentence gulping air just before the next - whooping they called it - you didn’t whoop in some churches, behind your back, it was whispered that you weren’t yet filled with the holy spirit!

“Hey” The Oldman interjected “You’re doing alright - but don’t get your emotions caught up in your argument!”

“OK” he said then taking a deep breath, he continued:

“For the sake of the sacrifices of Christ that they may not have been in vain - on your behalf, repent….” 

Looking beyond me, (I sat with my back to the front of the bus), he said “Turn your bibles to Ephesians 3:16” 

I turned to see everyone in the ‘House’ - the occupants of this rickety bus had been listening in…

“Obioma” I dead-panned “I beg you - where did you learn to string all these big-big words together…. to speak so elegantly….”

“He’s a Priest” The entire House responded “PhD Theology!”

“Wha-a-at? Art Thou a Priest? A Catholic Priest?” I half-stammered

“Would Thou take it upon Thyself to call me Timotheus St. Paul henceforth?” He said laughing

“I verily would dear sir if you would oblige this old adversary an answer” I said

“I am indeed a Priest” he said smiling “I’ll explain later how I came to be here”

“Oya everybody come closer” #TheOldManInTheMolue turned and said to the House “Tim, address everybody! The sermon is good enough. They were listening anyway…” turning to me he said “I thought we were whispering!”

I laughed “You know we weren’t!”

“All together now!” Obioma said “Ephesians 3:16.. Let’s go!”

And so we read these words in Chorus - calling the numbers before each verse.

“16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”

“Thank you” Dr. St. Paul said “Thank you!”

Then for some reason, we all clapped

The #OldMan got up, raise this hands and we stopped clapping. “You see,” he said “You owe all those who despoil you… that is steal or violate that which you consider sacred… you owe them prayers”

“Yessir!” Someone responded - just like we were in a proper church

“Prayers - that out of his glorious riches he might strengthen them.. and dwell in their hearts!”

Nodding at Obioma he said “Continue my son!”

“Thank you Sir” He said “Now say after me!”

“Now Say after me” they echoed
“No be serious!”

“No be serious!”

We were an unruly bunch - the Molue!

So he carried on - and they echoed his words:

“So I pray that you being rooted in knowledge”
“So I pray that you being rooted in knowledge”

“Will come to the full knowledge, together with all”
“Will come to the full knowledge, together with all”

“Who themselves bear false witness against others”
“Who themselves bear false witness against others”

“And Understand - how profoundly unworthy”
“And Understand - how profoundly unworthy”

“As vessels for the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit we make ourselves”
“As vessels for the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit we make ourselves”

“And thats the end of my sermon…”

“And thats NOT the end of your sermon…”

Even the #OldManInTheMolue cracked a smile. Was fun always in this Molue - the driver Laughed out loud and long… even the Molue I’m convinced jiggled side ways more than was usual…

“How blessed, this vehicle was,” I thought “To be the platform of these life-changing discourses!”

“You must,” The House protested “Explain to us, which of the ten commandments if broken, leads us directly to Witchcraft”

“HE will” The Old Man interjected. “Right now the next item on the agenda is food. We will stop at Ore to eat, and welcome the caravan coming from Benin and proceed Via Ondo to Ore”

“Who seconds this motion?” The OldMan asked

“We do” the house chorused

“Me too” Moses the Driver said

“Oh shut up and drive” someone said and we all laughed!