(12/15/2012) A Slaughter of Innocents

     Today, I share a response to a writer’s complaint against GOD stemming from the shooting of school children in Connecticut (12/14/2012). Also there is more on remembering the holocaust. The “Yahoo! Answers” user who has the ID “Martin” (Level 4 with 2,768 points, a member since October 26, 2012) posted the following:

Its a music and religous query?

Its that one song titled JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN. are you certain of that, after all that have been murdered? Cause if thats what is meant meaning was that song scripted sarcasticly i sure wouldn't want to see the almighty's hatred for us. so bite your tongue we worked all year long sharing our warmth and love of christmas making piano, violin, harp, hand bell musical arrangement for everybody even made those dollar musicals just as nice as the 25 dollar albums for you all and what is the gift that we get back. the news of yet more murders. would you send me the memo when christmas is merry again? this year has ended up being a real downer.


THE BATTLE AXE: Remembering the Holocaust? (12/14/2012)—As a tool provided by divine judgment, holocaust is like a litmus that exposes the presence of elements disguised and hidden within the human heart. Included are blindness, corruption, cruelty, despair, disbelief, distrust, hardness, hate, ignorance, imbalance, immaturity, indifference, malice, and murder. Ethnic cleansing, eugenics, genocide, and holocaust do not proceed as acts of GOD; and all may be classed as human error, and sin. As such, they are less the focus for Christian mind than repentance, rebirth, or the divine content of ones person and its operation through prayer, service and worship. Many examples of spiritually-based attacks upon the people of GOD are recorded in the holy writings. Included are the population control and slaughter of male babies in Egypt at the time of Moses’ birth (Exodus 1, KJV); the Babylonian attack upon the three Hebrew captives who were placed in a burning furnace (Daniel 3, KJV); the planned assault of Haman and the Persian/Median empire ruled by Ahasuerus (Esther 3, KJV); and the slaughter of innocents by the Jewish king, Herod, to destroy the prophesied Messiah at the birth of Jesus (Matthew 2, KJV). It is foolish and immature to argue that the holocaust was more devastating, more “important”, or should be more memorable than the global enslavement of Africans, the calamity of several world wars, the human catastrophe of atomic bombs launched against an island nation, the natural disasters of cyclone, hurricane and storm winds, or even the back-to-back natural disasters of earthquake and tsunami. For Christian believers focus will not be upon emergency preparedness or turning away from human violence so much as upon fulfilling the commands to love, and maintain constant vigilance for the second advent of Jesus. It is their faith that the sure justice of GOD will be provided through that son of the highest who is an anointed Judge, Jesus Christ.


THE GOLDEN ARROW: But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Does GOD Feel? (10/05/2012); How Was GOD Known Before Jesus? (10/06/2012); After We Die? (10/04/2012); Binder 32: Those Yet Unsaved (10/29/2011); Having Life? (03/13/2011); End of Strife? (03/14/2011); Potter and Clay (12/06/2010)


THE BATTLE CRY: The music ministry of Dietrick Haddon includes a worship medley that encourages believers facing the challenges in life events, and that prophesies the hope and expectation for the Second Coming of Jesus. Readers should hear, from the 2002 album, Lost and Found, Joy of the Lord/Oh the Glory.

     For mature Christian believers, the comforts given by GOD include children, music, and divine promises. There are truths that clarify death, judgment, justice, and righteousness. More than this, there is certainty and unquenchable joy; and so we have a song that says, THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH.

     The slaughter of innocents is not a new thing among mankind. The Scriptures record that at the time of Jesus’ birth every child under the age of two in the town of Bethlehem was destroyed as if they were enemies of the state, and “national security risks.” What shocks many of us, today, is to see such cruelty and venom apart from “police action,” politics, and war. Deliberate and planned attacks upon otherwise defenseless children in public schools and care facilities are performed by those who are depraved, mindless, shameless and apparently unloved.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, the human condition is one of mortality, therefore, we have many mechanisms that center on experiencing bereavement, death and separation. The counterbalance is found in the continuity of life, and the truth that life goes on. There is more work to do, more sharing to do, more loving to do. Through Jesus Christ, believers receive a peculiar confidence and optimism we call “joy”. In the face of injustice, persecution and tragedy, we make no complaint against our GOD. Instead, we acknowledge divine gifts that give us peace of mind, saying: The world did not give it; and the world cannot take it away.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC