The Spiritual Journey 2024 - Day 14: The world parties its way to destruction.

”And what value was there in fighting wild beasts—those people of Ephesus—if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭32‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I began sharing with you about my spiritual journey, on January 29 of this year. Each day before sharing with you about the spiritual journey I ask the Lord for His leading as to what should be shared. I say this to point out something I did not realize until yesterday. You see, today is the day I will be sharing with you the next destination in the dreaming vision track of the spiritual journey: “Mardi Gras world.” And, as you may be well aware, today is actual Mardi Gras for this year. This timing was sovereign. I had no intention to align the discussion of this next part, this next destination, with the actual day of Mardi Gras celebration for 2024.

Having said that, let me remind you that the first destination in the dreaming vision portion of the spiritual journey was the “dilapidated arcade” (see Day 6), which illustrated the world system as being empowered and guided by deception. And—bear in mind—not just deception, but deception promising reward or satisfaction, but is actually robbing you blind.

The next destination in the dreaming vision portion of the spiritual journey was, as earlier expressed, what I would call “Mardi Gras world.” Everyone was, as you would expect, dressed in the masks, and the colors, and other accoutrements associated with Mardi Gras celebrations.

As I walked through the streets of this Mardi Gras world, although everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves in reckless abandon, there was a terrible feeling of doom or death. This dynamic was illustrated in that I was seeing all of these scenes through a dark screen or filter.

Now, experts disagree as to how Mardi Gras came to be observed as it is today. But one thing is undeniable: It is a time of excesses of sensual pleasures just before the Lenten season begins. Ironically, I would venture to say that most of the people reveling in New Orleans and other locations with Mardi Gras activities, will not enter into any sort of sacrifice or holy reflection during the Lenten season.

As you probably know, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday.” Allow me to give you a quote from an official New Orleans website as to what goes on in the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans:

“There's no shortage of events of things to do on Fat Tuesday: beloved parades, costume parties, early-morning New Orleans traditions, general debauchery on Bourbon Street — the list goes on.”

Who would ever suppose that one would reference “debauchery” in positive terms? But there it is! You see, this is the spirit of the world. Resting upon a foundation of deceit and spiritual blindness, people turn to sensual pleasure—literally what appeals to the senses—to bring some meaning or sense of fulfillment into their lives. Of course, that’s like trying to get rid of a hole in your yard by digging it out; it only gets bigger. And, as we continue to see, the depth of debauchery in our world grows deeper every day.

Paul warned the church at Ephesus against debauchery.

”Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.“

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Bear in mind, the seat of worship for the “goddess” Diana was the temple in Ephesus. And, as you might imagine, that temple was filled with all sorts of debauchery.

Peter warned that Christians must not live as those who don’t know God.

”Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.“

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As well, we see that Peter warns that those who continue in debauchery will attack those who choose to follow holiness.

Paul encouraged the believers in Rome to wake up to the fact that Jesus would return and that they should live as though they had that expectation. As such, they should not seek after sensual pleasures.

”This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our opening scripture we see that Paul remarks that those who don’t believe in a life here after, those who don’t believe in a final judgment that will determine our eternal destination, might as well (and do) eat, drink and be merry; only death awaits.

Sadly, many churches no longer stress the importance of looking for the return of Jesus Christ. And, coming along with the lack of that blessed hope, often is found debauchery, even within the ranks of church leaders.

Tomorrow we’ll talk more about this Mardi Gras world and the end for those who live there.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#thespiritualjourney2024