There is No Third Path

Webster's dictionary defines mayhem as - 1 a: willful and permanent deprivation of a bodily member resulting in the impairment; b: willful and permanent crippling, mutilation, or disfigurement of the body; 2: needless or willful damage or violence

 

Satan is sometimes referred to as Master Mayhem, the creator of chaos.  From that title comes a description of a socio-economic philosophy known as the Mahonic principle.  Strictly defined, it means turning human life into property.  It is an apt description of the dragon, the beast, the anti-Christ, and the harlot of Revelation.  The goal of these earthly kingdoms, both political and religious is the gaining of wealth and power at the expense of human rights, dignity, and moral values.  I believe the harlot of Revelation is the embodiment of the Mahonic principle: loving property and using people instead of loving people and using property.

 

When I did a search for images of mayhem, I found the above picture.  I thought it was an apt display of the values of our society today.  The positioning of the cross in the picture is particularly apropos.  The fact that the Mayhem in question here is a band by that name only underscores for me where we are as a culture (i.e., this is entertainment?)  

 

These same themes appear over and over in the Book of Revelation.  The images changes, but the main ideas continues as a single thread throughout.  There are two paths in the last days: the path to Jesus Christ and the path that leads everywhere but to Jesus Christ.  There is no third path.  That, to me, is the key: there is no third path.

 

For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.  But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.  (Moroni 7: 16-17)

 

In the end, Christ will win, and those who gloried in the harlot will mourn her passing and, at the same time, eat her flesh:

 

And the ten horns [degenerate earthly kingdoms] which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17: 16)

 

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: (Revelation 18: 9-11)

 

Text copyright Gebara Education March 2013

 

Picture from www.lastfm.de