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There’s a phenomena that’s been going on for quite a while now that somewhat surprises me. In 1996, George R.R. Martin published his first in a series of fantasy novels, A Song of Ice and Fire.
That initial novel was entitled A Game of Thrones and has spun off into several video games and an HBO television series that have become amazingly popular with the masses in an ever-growing international fan base. This medieval fantasy has become an obsession to many who are apparently addicted to the complex story line that was presented week by week over the past eight seasons.
I’ve certainly enjoyed recent offerings of such box office hits as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Harry Potter, but I refuse to get caught up in the hysteria and have yet to even a watch a segment of an episode.
As I read about the content, it’s easy to see the series contains way too much sex and violence for my eyes to consume. I prefer to concentrate on what I call The Original “Game of Thrones,” which has been going on from the onset of time. You see there’s nothing new about the constant battle to take the throne and control of others.
That original battle commenced when Satan rebelled against the God of the Universe and he and a third of the angels were thrown out of Heaven and became destined to roam the confines of the earth.
Angels are not created as humans but as a unique species for the specific purpose of serving God. Unfortunately, this heavenly rebellion created an ongoing spiritual saga that is real and not simply an entertaining fantasy program.
We cannot see what actually goes on since it all takes place in a different dimension, but we can still sense the battle that rages daily for dominion of the earth.
Paul talks about this spiritual battle in 2 Corinthians 4:18 when he proclaims, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
What we must come to understand is there’s an ongoing spiritual battle for the souls of mankind that dates back to the Garden of Eden.
Paul continues to instruct all followers of Christ in Ephesians 6:11-12 to … “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
As a young boy I was enamored with Sir Walter Scott’s classic work, Ivanhoe. Over the past two centuries there have been many variations of the character of the White Knight defeating the Black Knight in battle.
Let me share some very good news. God prevails in the end and His only Son Jesus and the angelic forces will prevail victorious over of the evil forces that now rule here on earth. In 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 we’re told “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Then in verse 58, Paul concludes with these encouraging words: “Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Yes, there is a spiritual battle that may not be seen through the natural eye, yet believers can see the Light through the darkness that presently prevails. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Passages to Ponder
» Jude 8-9
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at [email protected] for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.
