As we live by following the teachings of Jesus, doing unto others what we would have them do unto us, and teaching it to the next generation, we are given from God the Spirit by which we know the truth, Jesus’ own character of fearlessness, duty, faithfulness to his Father, his God, which frees us to be the same. This freedom will put us increasingly at odds with the spirit of the coming global empire. There is in this coming empire three kinds of spirit. First is a spirit of coexistence of various cultures, and equality of rights of each to its own way of life and religious freedom. Second is a spirit of hegemony, one culture dominating all the others, and propaganda that this group had right to rule. Third kind of empire spirit is rapid advancement, syncretising its own ways into everyone else’s culture. The spirit of this coming empire will combine all three into one. Its propaganda message will likely be how it combines the best lessons of the past, shunning the aggressiveness of Rome, improving on its dictatorial methods and imperialist iron grip and grinding teeth. Yet it will be readying itself to try to wipe out the values of Jesus Christ, trying to replace them with a lawless tyrant’s rule. This will be the toughest trial. Testing of everyone to see who will keep following the commands of God as taught by Jesus, and who will embrace the propaganda of the empire. The empire will have its champion who will issue a ruling so terrible in its divisiveness that all but the most ardent follower of Jesus and his God and Father will cave. Dig in. Dig down to that truth of Jesus which you might find you have in your heart. Stick to it. Strengthen it. Base your life fully on it, so when the lawless rule begins you have hope of standing firm. Teach Jesus to the next generation too, now while it is still possible.
