There are moments when life becomes a living hell. Triggers can vary, the reality is very real. I find “hells” are usually relationship driven. A trusted associate appears to turn into an antagonist or relationships built on trust morphs into something founded on innuendo, rumor, and other self-centric conversations. In these moments it would seem that hope takes a vacation, nurture is a distant memory, and solace is something that one can only find in sentimental movies.
I don’t think I am in one of these moments at the time but I know several who are. The pressures and disasters are real. The potential for destruction is high. Sight of an end of the crisis is illusive at best. There can be no question about the situation; it is truly hell come to life. I wish that I could say this was going to end but I can only see the cycle repeating in the future, again, then again, and yet again. John was writing what he saw in vision about the future and he saw the same cycle! In that case the bad guys were receiving the first results of their life work. This isn’t pretty!
“When this happens, people are going to prefer death to torture, look for ways to kill themselves. But they won’t find a way—death will have gone into hiding.” (Revelation 9.6)
It would be easy to use the various living hells, today and tomorrow, as motivation towards a particular lifestyle, set of standards, or behavior. The problem with this approach is that even if you or I adopt one of these it won’t make a difference! Life is going to be tough, for all of us regardless of which side we are on. We can be with God or against, either way bad stuff is going to happen. The question is one of purpose, living in hope, and winning in the end. This is the moment Faith steps in and changes everything. More on that later, but beware Hell is on the loose. Decisions are required, choice essential.
