Heaven Bound

THE LONG ROAD TO MIAMI, THE SHORT ROAD TO NEW ORLEANS

Sunday, February 14, saw the triumphant Saints back in New Orleans in time for the 42nd annual  Mardi Gras Bacchus Parade. Drew Brees, Saints quarterback, was chosen as this year’s Bacchus King and presided over the parade throwing footballs to his many adoring fans.  I have to admit, I haven’t paid much attention to Mardi Gras in the past; in fact, a week or so ago, I couldn’t have told you what a Bacchus parade was.  It seems to me though, after learning just a little bit about it, that the prophetic thread we observed throughout Superbowl 44, did not end in Miami.

I think for those of us who have eyes to see and ears to hear; especially for the church here in America, the Lord is giving us ample visual warning in regard to our spiritual condition. The Saints, fresh from their victory in Miami, return as kings, to a festival fraught with debauchery, idolatry and revelry named for the god of wine, pleasure and festivity, the god Bacchus. 

I think the image here is clear and can be summed up in one word – the winning word from the 2009 national spelling bee  – 

 L – A – O – D – I – C – E – A – N

There is an abundance of information on the web about the god Bacchus or Dionysius is he is known in greek.  The abbreviated version is that, he is the god of wine and pleasure; the inspirer of madness and ecstasy. Also known, as the liberator; for freeing one, from ones normal self, by madness, ecstasy or wine. The divine mission of Dionysius it is said, is to mingle the music of the aulos (an ancient greek instrument) to bring an end to worry and care.  For more  information on the debased character of this god, and from whose name the word debauchery undoubtedly, is derived, click here – http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/DionysosGod.html#Homosexuality 

BULLS, PIGS AND UNCLEAN THINGS

A week or so ago, my daughter related to me a dream her husband had.  It was a very ugly dream, so repulsive  I hesitate to share it here, except, that I think it applies.  For this reason, I will try to describe it as delicately as I can.  In the dream, my son-in-law saw a bull standing over a pig from which it had just had un-natural relations.  The pig, was bloodied from the incident and the bull stood over the pig, “bullishly,”  as if not to be moved.   I immediately re-coiled from the visual image this presented, but, my daughter who is sometimes much wiser than her mother and somewhat gifted with the spiritual gift of dream interpretation told me this:  “Mom,” she said, “I believe God was showing us something here – the pig is an unclean animal, but, a bull is a clean animal (often used in the bible for sacrifices).  The picture here is clear.  The church, represented by the bull,  – has been intermingling or fornicating with the world, –  who is represented by the pig.  –  And, what really is sad, is that the bull, is “using the pig” and by his refusal to move away from the pig,  represents our  refusal to give up or repent of our actions that are not pleasing to God.”   Wow, I was blown away by her interpretation.  I was also sickened by it, as I saw, perhaps for the first time, how God must view his children, when we leave what should be our first love, in favor of a cheap imitation.

PIGS, PIGS AND MORE PIGS

Apparently, beaded pig necklaces are popular among revelers and can be purchased while at the festival or at this website for the grand price of $2.65.   Called “no evil pigs” each necklace comes with 3 pigs, each of which correspond to the saying, “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.”  Would that be the Mardi Gras equivalent to “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas????”

This is first time one of the New Orleans Saints has presided over the Mardi Gras celebration as the King of Bacchus.  For a list of previous kings, click here: http://www.mardigrasparadeschedule.com/krewes/bacchus/  For those of us, who have been following the whole superbowl 44 thing, I can’t help but, believe there is a message in here somewhere for us.  A sobering message, for a church who is neither  “hot nor cold.”

To the church of Laodicea write:   “These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’  But, you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness and salve to put on your eyes so that you can see.  Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.  So, be earnest and repent!  Rev 3:14-19

Lord, thank you for your great love and mercy!  Help us Lord to return to you, our first love!  Open our eyes God, that we might see and repent!  Lord, cleanse us and we shall be whiter than snow!   And, keep looking up fellow watchers, Jesus is coming soon!