Rebels without God

The 20th century was the bloodiest one hundred years in human history. Malcolm Muggerich, a famous British journalist, expressed his viewpoint (in the following paraphrased comments) concerning some of the centuries' "Rebels without God" and the declaration by some that "God was dead":

I saw a cracked Austrian who claimed his reich would last a thousand years. I saw a pompous Italian who wanted to restart the calendar based on his rise to power. I saw a Russian brigand who many believed was more humanitarian than Marcus Aurelius.

If God is dead then someone or something must fill the void created by His absence. It will be either: megalomania or erotimania, power or pleasure, the fist or the phallus, Hitler or Hugh Hephner.

In 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 26, King Uzziah rebels against God by trying to usurp the role of the priests. He is strong and successful as king but when he enters the temple to burn incense (something only the priests are permitted to do) he is struck down by God with leprosy. He became self-reliant rather than God-reliant. Even the king cannot live above God's law. Look at Richard Nixon who descended into the embarrassment and dishonour of impeachment because he thought the President of the United States was above the law.

We see, in Chapter 13 of Revelation, the profiles of the "Antichrist" and the "False Prophet", two infamous "Rebels against God" who will rise to power sometime in the future.

1) The First Beast (the Antrichrist) is described as: a) demon possessed, b) a vicious killer, c) deceptive, d) intimidating, e) a satan worshipper, f) empowered by the Dragon (Satan), g) a powerful political and military leader.

2) The Second Beast (the False Prophet) is described as: a) similar to the first beast. See Items 1(a) to (f) above, b) a false religious leader, c) a promoter of the worship of the first beast, d) not as powerful as the first beast, e) subtle and manipulative.

In Zechariah, Chapter 9, we see the rebellious pride of the city of Tyre. In rejecting God they rely chiefly on their own strength, riches, and fortifications. They believed their island city was invincible. When all others had failed, Alexander the Great built a causeway to the island conquering Tyre in seven months. God used Alexander as an instrument of judgement against the rebellious people of Tyre.

Jesus states in Chapter 12 of John's gospel that he who loves his life will lose it. A life of pride, self-reliance, and rejection of God will result in an eternity without God. He also says that if anyone hears what He is saying and doesn't take it seriously they should reconsider their position. They are actually rejecting Jesus, not the reverse. Jesus came into the world to save people not reject them. Refusing to comprehend what He is saying is willfully choosing to not be with God. Hell is a monument to free will. God will not compel us to choose Him. He respects our free will.

We are all rebels against God to some degree. It is like spiritual cancer. The pride of a rebellious heart chooses to reject Jesus who is the only cure.