I have been deeply religious my entire adult life. I can't tell you how many personal encounters I have had with God and the depth of my conviction that He is in absolute control of world events. If God wants me to suffer through years of tyranny and oppression, I will gladly do it for His sake. If he calls upon me to sacrifice my family, my fortune, my honor, and my life, it would be my pleasure to be counted worthy to be in some way similar to the saints and martyrs who have preceded us.
In this context, let me tell you about the "real" war that is being waged.
We know that Christ promised to come a second time, and that there are not a few prophecies in the Bible about his second coming. I refer especially to the passage in Malachi that refers to the whole earth being smitten with a curse unless Elijah comes and turns people's hearts.
Our hearts.
Folks, I don't know what your church teaches you about Christ, and I don't think it matters too much as long as our hearts are turned towards Christ. Christ wasn't in a competition with the emperor of Rome over allegiance. He wasn't engaged in a philosophical debate with Greek scholars. He doesn't care what comes out of our mouths or what motions we make with our hands or where our feet carry us.
He cares deeply about where our hearts are.
In this context, look at today's tribulations in the cosmic perspective: Countless souls are on the earth right now, and Jesus is battling Satan for people's hearts. Some are living a life full of faith, hope and charity. Others engage in doubt, fear, and hatred. Where does Jesus move his troops? To the frontlines. Those blessed with a degree of faith, hope and charity are put in positions to spread that to their neighbors who are lacking in those departments. And what does Satan do in response? He floods the earth with false messages of desperation and hopelessness, and says "Hatred is the only way to achieve peace!"
What about Q?
I think Q is a messenger from God. Maybe, or maybe not, God himself touched his heart and opened his mouth. Regardless, the effect is the same.
When we read and study Q, what do you find happening to your heart?
Are you filled with joy, peace, comfort, and faith? Do you find hope springing in you? Are you filled with greater compassion to your neighbor, both friend and enemy?
Or are you filled with anger, hatred, revenge, and desire to see your neighbors suffer, even if it means you suffer?
This is what Q is about. This is how I see it.
We are not waging a battle with swords and spears, and we never were. Even in those sorts of battles, it always came down to people's hearts. Those filled with anger and malice have lost the battle already. Those filled with love and compassion and hope have won already.
Folks, take HEART! Remember the promises God made to our ancestors, and remember their stories and their tribulations and perseverance and victory! We are not alone, we never have been.
Kneel down and offer a mighty prayer of GRATITUDE to God for giving us an opportunity to have hope when there is only hopelessness, faith when there is only fear, and love when there is only hatred.
God bless you all! In the eternal name of Jesus Christ I pray!
?? Amen.