The Spiritual Journey 2024 - Day 15: The world system offers “bread and circuses” to keep control.

”To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak? Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. They scorn the word of the Lord. They don’t want to listen at all. “From the least to the greatest, their lives are ruled by greed. From prophets to priests, they are all frauds. They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’“

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬, ‭13‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You may have heard the term “bread and circuses.” This reference was first used in a Roman poet’s commentary on the practice of a failing Roman empire of keeping the poor citizens from revolting by offering them grain doles (to make bread) and free entertainment (the gladiator games, etc.).

Yesterday I began sharing with you about the second destination in the dreaming vision portion of the spiritual journey: Mardi Gras world. The whole bread and circuses ploy is well-illustrated by the Mardi Gras world. In the sensual excesses encouraged by the world system is found a means of control by distraction from discontent.

Think of it, the world system encourages partying, reckless abandon, and entertainment. Yes, the world system created Mardi Gras world. Tragically, what the Mardi Gras world does not see, as noted yesterday, is that they are heading for destruction.

Consider, looking at news reports coming from all around the world, you will notice that even people who are thought to have nothing, are seen with smart phones in their hands.

Now, whereas the introduction of the Internet (now finding its most powerful host in the smart phone) can be used for good, the power of these devices to distract, cannot be overstated.

Whereas people used to gather to interact with one another, you now see “gatherings” at which people sitting right next to each other, are all on their “devices.”

As well, easy access to the Internet has made engaging with pornography, easy and anonymous. And, pornography would have to rate number one as the tool most often used to distract and corrupt the masses. But—whether it’s pornography or something else—staring at a screen hours at the time, leaves little room for self-reflection, let alone, the seeking of the Lord.

When thinking about people being distracted through partying so that destruction falls suddenly upon them, my mind goes to the story of Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, and the party he threw in the days of the prophet Jeremiah (see Daniel 5).

During this riotous party, the king sent for the vessels stolen from the Jewish temple, and used them for the drinking and partying.

As you may remember, during the party, a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall. After seeking an interpretation from the court’s wisemen to no avail, Jeremiah was called. Jeremiah then informed Belshazzar that the kingdom was going to be taken from him and divided between the Medes and Persians. Indeed, that very night, Belshazzar was killed, and Darius, the Mede took over the kingdom.

Jesus told the story of a rich man who was distracted by his great wealth and so was unaware that he would soon lose it all and have to face God.

”Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”“

‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭16‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Again, the world system adds distraction to its deceit so that people are unaware of what’s truly happening to them; they don’t even see what is truly important. And, the fact is, destruction will come suddenly upon the whole world. Indeed, destruction is at the door, but much of society has their attention somewhere else.

In our opening scripture we see the Lord, speaking through Jeremiah, pointing out that the people were totally unaware of the impending destruction that was coming. They didn’t know, and they didn’t care that their mortal wound had been given only a superficial remedy.

Friend, in what ways have you perhaps been distracted from what the Lord is speaking? To what extent have you wittingly, or unwittingly, sought out escape-by-diversion from the trouble that is all around, rather than seeking the true relief found in Jesus Christ?

Make no mistake, the world system has always used deceit and distraction to open people up to destruction. Sadly, this ploy is—more often than not—successful.

May the Lord open the eyes of those distracted through partying, entertainment, or even their own cares. May they see, and so avoid, the destruction standing at the door!

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#thespiritualjourney2024