It's A Wonderful Life (Or Is It?)

I am certain the most people have either seen or heard of the movie by this name. “It’s A Wonderful Life” starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed and directed by Frank Capra is a classic American tale of the common man who faces economic trials and who ultimately triumphs. In this instance, that triumph came only because of God’s intervention.

Following the life of George Bailey, we see a man who does not value the life he has been given as he finds himself stuck in his hometown running the family business (The Bailey Building and Loan) while his younger brother and friends leave to pursue other ventures. They, in his view, become successful and worldly (his younger brother, Harry is awarded the Congressional “Medal of Honor” during WWII) while he remains stuck where he is. It is only after life really falls apart and Clarence, his guardian angel, intervenes that George discovers what a precious gift his life has been. In the last scene of the movie, George comes to know that he is surrounded by family and friends and that material gain does not make a truly wealthy man. It is at the moment of extreme despair that George finds that he has a truly wonderful life.

(Move forward to the present day). Life must really be wonderful. The Dow just broke 13,000 for the first time in history. One company after another is issuing strong financial reports. Mergers and acquisitions are regularly reported as growth continues unabated for the national economy. Walmart, Exxon and Microsoft remain some of the strongest companies in the world grossing (and netting) billions of dollars each quarter.

My hometown has been named one of the best places in America to retire or to open a new business (again for the umpteenth time). I just read about a company that is making its mark by catering to the wealthy and booking rides on the Soviet space station. For $25 million you too can travel into outer space and experience all life aboard a rocket and a space station. In my community, we are now leading the way for the commercialization of space. Soon, Americans can book a trip for a suborbital flight for the paltry sum of $200,000. Yep, materialism is alive and well. And if materialism is alive and well, if personal prosperity is flourishing, then it only follows that life must be wonderful.

And yet, as a write this, I am burdened by a feeling that I cannot shake.

· My country is divided over a war on foreign soil that is now the flashpoint for world-wide military conflict. Half (or more) of our nation apparently cries out for the return of our servicemen and women within the next 12 months while a like number believes that you cannot dictate military matters based upon an arbitrary time clock.

· Oil prices are volatile.

· Congress is beginning to investigate the President and Vice President for actions taken in going to war (despite the fact that virtually every Democratic leader, including President Clinton, called for military intervention in Iraq at one time or another).

· Thirty three people just lost their lives at Virginia Tech when a deranged student opened fire upon them before taking his own life.

· Another major earthquake takes place in southeast Asia and a tsunami hits the Solomon Islands but without the tremendous loss of life occasioned by the last tsunami to hit the area.

· The United States Supreme Court outlaws a hideous abortion practice where the nearly born are murdered just before they exit the birth canal and the ruling is castigated as the beginning of a slippery slope toward the eradication of the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade.

· Debate continues to rage over illegal immigration and its impact upon America with the anticipation that over 20 million immigrants will soon be made citizens.

· The desire for drugs fuels an illicit trade and underground economy that ruins the lives of millions of people throughout the world and there is no apparent way to ever stem the tide as drugs are smuggled into the country every day of the year.

· The First Amendment which guarantees the right of freedom of speech will soon be abrogated as Christian teachings against homosexuality will be outlawed as “hate speech”; yet, society calls a crucifix suspended in a vial of urine as “art.”

· Genocide and infanticide terrorize millions on the African continent while there seems to be no end to the conflict in the Sudan and Darfour.

· Kim Jong-Il rattles his saber and the world capitulates hoping to prevent nuclear confrontation.

· In the long-term, China will become the dominant economic power in the world as U.S. companies continue to flee and establish manufacturing facilities in a nation that will soon need the oil resources of the Middle East to continue to fuel its economic expansion.

· Anna Nicole Smith died from a drug habit at the age of 39 years leaving behind a new baby girl and five men who would fight over paternity and the claim to $400 million. Her story captured the attention of the media and the world as it unfolded.

I could go on ad infinitum but I think you get the picture. Despite positive reports to the contrary, threats seem to abound on all sides and the world wonders who is going to be bounced this week on “American Idol.” Now that’s a name for a television show.

Is it just me or is the world growing darker? I had a conversation with a friend recently and I tried to describe the feeling that I had as I wrestled with despair over the conditions existing in my country and throughout the world. The only description that I could come up with was that the world was growing ever darker.

It is not hard to envision a world war erupting over the conflict in the Middle East. After all, the leader of Iran believes that the Jewish nation is the reason for trouble and that each and every Jew should be killed. There was once another man who believed the same thing – his name was Hitler.

In this instance, Ahmaninejad not only believes that every Jew should be murdered; he also believes that his purpose in life is to bring about world conditions so that the 12^th Imam can arise and subjugate the rest of the world to Islam. Anyone who will not agree to follow Islam should be killed. As a practicing Christian, I live with the faith and conviction that a person can only be saved by being “born again” through belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and that death without that belief results in only one existence – hell for all eternity. That loss is to be mourned. Yet, a person like Ahmaninejad believes that his road to paradise is paved with the bodies of unbelievers and that the death of an unbeliever in Islam should not be mourned but rather, should be celebrated. It is all the better if that person is a Jew.

In this world there are two conditions. Those conditions are light and darkness. Throughout the Bible these conditions are juxtaposed and contrasted and it becomes clear that light personifies God, His Son and His followers while darkness is the opposite.

Darkness identifies the enemies of God. It is the entity that we battle as Christians.

Ephesians 6:12

** New International Version

King James Version

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Please note that the Bible even speaks of this world as being a dark place and that we struggle against the rulers who exercise dominion over it.

There are 51 separate instances in the New Testament where the word “darkness” appears and most often it refers to the original word skotos meaning shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively). (See Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.). In each instance where the word “darkness” is used, it is not used in a positive way.

A number of years ago, Frank Peretti wrote a book that took the Christian literary community by storm. The name of the book was “This Present Darkness” which was soon followed by “Piercing the Darkness.” Essentially, each of the books dealt with spiritual warfare and the reality of spiritual conflict in the physical world. Many people were influenced by these novels and the premise that prayer is a very powerful tool in the hands of the believer. What caught my attention was the idea encapsulated in the title for each book, i.e. we are caught in the crossfire of a conflict that has gone on since time began. As we are caught in that crossfire, we can become victims of the great deceiver if we are not prepared.

You must ask yourself as a Christian, “Who are you in this world and what is your role?” Should we just be content to wander through life as we grow older or does God want something more from us?”

The writing of Paul shed some light on what is expected of us.

I Thessalonians 5:4-24

** New International Version

King James Version

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Each of these verses could be a discussion unto itself but taken as a whole, they point to the two commandments which Christ identified as being the two most important: Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. (See Matthew 22:37-40). As He pointed out, every other commandment flows from these two.

“Darkness” describes the life and plight of the unbeliever. It is a state or condition that envelopes the unsaved and without the light and life of Jesus Christ, it is a permanent condition. However, darkness is not associated with the life of the disciples of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:8-11

** New International Version

King James Version

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

I do not seriously believe that a Christian objectively evaluating this present age would seriously think that all is well. And, it is not supposed to be. As we are drawn ever closer to the end of the church age, things are not supposed to get better. The world’s condition is supposed to grow increasingly worse. I have taken some time to point out certain events that have taken place on the world stage that seem to paint a rather grim picture. Unfortunately, these types of events are not just limited to the world at large but instead, they are also reflected in everyday life.

I now see more tragic circumstances affecting the people that I care about than I have ever before. Whether it is physical ailment, financial loss or family tragedy, these circumstances are happening everyday. I surmise that you are experiencing the same things. Jesus Christ Himself stated that all of these things would happen before His return.

Matthew 24:3-14; 24:32-35

** New International Version

King James Version

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" 4 Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

I contend that this life is not wonderful absent the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Even with the gift of salvation and the expectation of one day living with my Savior in paradise, this life can be extremely difficult. I also contend that everyday existence is growing increasingly worse and that personal security, safety and contentment is extremely low. People are worried about a war that could possibly threaten life in America and they believe that life itself and their own economic circumstance hangs by the proverbial hair over Damocles’ head.

Life is growing ever darker and according to Matthew 24, we should expect it to do so until He comes to take us home with Him for eternity. That is the hope eternal that should live in the heart of each and every believer and as a result, we should be about God’s business as never before.

We each know someone, whether it be family or a friend, who is not saved. The fig tree’s leaves are out and its shoots are tender; the time is near when Jesus will call His saints to His side. We do not have much time left in my humble opinion and it won’t be long until our influence in this world will be lost.

I know that no one knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return but I also know that He said that we should recognize the season. False messiahs, wars and rumors of war, famines, earthquakes, volcanoes, persecution, false prophets and wickedness resulting in the love of many growing cold – these are the signs. Read the newspaper, listen to the news or surf the Internet for information; what you will see are all of the events set forth in Matthew 24 coming to fruition. Could I be wrong? Of course I could. However, I need to live my life with the everyday expectation that I am not. So do you.

** A modern language quote is provided for readability together with the accompanying KJV version which is believed by many to be a more accurate representation of the original scripture.

Comments or questions may be directed to the author at jrhett58@yahoo.com.