Where Self is on the Throne

The earth has seen the rise and fall of a vast number of empires since God set it turning in its place. With each new ruler there was a renewed lust for glory, power, and conquest. Each of these leaders searched with all his might for something to quench his worldly appetite, but no matter what lengths they went to, none found satisfaction in the end. Finally, after the people of the earth had seen troubles and tyrants, kingdoms and kings, rebellion and rulers, one rose up from among them to which no other ruler in history could be compared. His roots sprang up in the beginning of time, and over the years he became more powerful. Self would soon win the hearts of earth’s people.

While the peoples and powers of the earth were occupied in searching for something to satisfy themselves, Self stood by quietly biding his time. Eventually the earth began to wage open war on its people, and Self began to covertly gather a following around him. Among his followers were the filthy, the vile, the criminals, the wicked, and the ungodly. The more that the earth pretended to search for truth, meaning, and satisfaction, the more Self added to his own army. How did Self draw such a myriad around himself? He appealed to the nature of the people. “What are your impulses, wants, lusts, longings, idols, aspirations, goals, and cravings?” Self would ask. “Whatever your heart desires, I will deny it nothing! Only come to me and I will provide you with whatever you wish.” The people were charmed by his words and delighted with his pleasures. Whatever they wanted, Self had promised them.

When he had gathered enough around him, Self overthrew the rulers of the earth one by one and created an empire of his own. The peoples of the earth were captivated by his many promises to them. In the beginning Self’s reign seemed wonderful and all the people were happy because they got whatever they wanted. But after a time the people began to demand more from Self and more from each other. They were unwilling to yield to those around them and the nation quickly became selfish. In order to keep his people pleased, Self began making new decrees. Self decided to do away with the good, ancient laws and make new laws no matter how evil, immoral, and thoughtless they were. Also, to keep the people from arguing over truth, he declared that there was no such thing as right and wrong and that the people should practice and believe in whatever pleased them most.

After years under the reign of Self, where right and wrong were no longer acknowledged, the people became more wicked than any the earth had ever seen. Entertainment, passions, and gluttony were the favorite pastimes of the people, who had become lazy. No longer devoting themselves to work and providing for their families, they became idle and fell into all kinds of mischief. Murder, adultery, stealing, lawbreaking, and destruction were rampant among the people. They began to prey on the helpless, taking the lives of the innocent and unborn, and taking advantage of the weak. The people even began to ignore the natural and moral in regard to marrying one another. All of this took place because, blinded by charm and enticed by desires, the people worshiped Self instead of God.

The reign of Self probably sounds familiar--it closely resembles the condition of American culture today, where the people glory in wickedness and the existence of truth is denied. In order to restore the earth’s people to favor with God, Self must be overthrown by another ruler--one who would make a Way for them, hold Truth out to those in darkness, and raise the dead to Life. “…You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

A. Leiter 11/07/08