Second Question, Session One: We talked about the Apostle John most likely receiving the Revelation toward the last of the 1st Century under the Roman rule of Domitian. We touched on the terror some Christians suffered during the reign of Nero and that, while Domitian's persecution of Christians was also fierce, it often had more of a psychological edge to it than physical.
Can you name a few ways you sense a psychological dimension to the persecution Christians are beginning to face in our current Western culture.
The answer is found in realizing that just like in Domitian's time, Christians today are often looked on as ignorant, uneducated and gullible. It doesn't help when Christians do and say something that backs up that thinking. For instance, the 93 year old man that for the third time predicted last Saturday at 6:00 p.m. was going to be Judgment Day and then convinced his followers to put hundreds of billboards up to tell everyone. The media jumped on that and then when it didn't happen, the reflection on all Christians is one much like in Domitian's day. There are those among the Christian community who so often are so judgmental and extreme in their thinking that it turns people away from seeing Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jesus said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35. So, instead of debating and judging and showing our ignorance, the way to God is to SHOW the love and compassion of Jesus.
But then yesterday, I heard the phrase "Compassion Fatigue" and thought "True." I think we are all in danger of having this syndrome. We have information to the extreme!: 24 hour news, internet with FB, Twitter, cell phones that can take pictures and videos. I asked Ricky last night if we are in danger of getting calloused to all the needs around us because we see all the images or destruction from weather: tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, fires. We feel so helpless to respond and so become compassion fatigued. I suppose in thinking about it this morning that perhaps that is just where God wants us to be: so we realize God is God and God-size, not human-size. I'm praying that we (in the world) won't stop at seeing the Almighty GOD but will look more closely to see GOD the Father who loves us and has the utmost compassion on us; He is never in danger of Compassion Fatigue. I pray we will see deeper to Jesus and that His Holy Spirit will so fill this place that there will be an outpouring of love and understanding of all aspects of the One True GOD!
Time with all of its ramifications on this earth was set into motion innumerable years ago and it must be fulfilled. Help us in this present time to see You as the Complete God more than at any other time previous. Help us as Your Children to not become compassion fatigued, for it is by our love and compassion that we show the world the way to the ALMIGHTY GOD.
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