Pastor's Corner

23 Mar
Screen Shot 2022 03 23 at 1.04.32 PM

Mid-Week Challenge

Long before the time of the Twilight film saga, before we knew the names “Bella, Edward and Jacob,” before we had to pick which team we supported, there has been a fascination with vampires.  The Munsters gave most of us our first look.  It wasn’t that much longer until we had Buffy, Blade, Moonlight, Ture Blood, The Vampire Diaries, Van Helsing, etc!There is an abundance of movies, TV shows and books on the subject.  The word vampire was made popular in the novel ‘Dracula’, written by Bram Stoker. The writer conceived a frightening and somewhat realistic figure, illustrating to readers the image of Count Dracula.  Vampires have gone through different looks and themes over the years, but a lot of the lore holds true to each new telling of the story.  Garlic, wooden stakes, holy water, crosses, etc. have all maintained their place is the storyline.  One idea has always fascinated me, and is found in just about every version, it’s the idea that a vampire can’t enter your home unless he is invited.  So where did this idea come from?  It all starts in the 17th century, precisely in 1645! In this period, Leona Allatius, (Greek theologian, patron and revolutionary of the Italian Renaissance) wrote in one of his manuscripts that such vampire myths are not able to hurt the citizens and their homes, unless they enter after the response of the owners at the doors.  The opening of the door by the tenant is considered by vampires as a gesture of courtesy, an invitation to join the humans in the house.  Vampires cannot on their own enter a house without an invitation because the threshold on a mythological and spiritual level is considered as a kind of magical and protective barrier that gives security to the home. If Vampires try to enter uninvited, they will get weaken or even lose their powers.  https://fictionhorizon.com/why-do-vampires-have-to-be-invited-in/  I’m sure this idea was taken from the teaching in the Bible. Jesus spoke a few times about demon possession in the form of parables describing cleaning up your home, casting out unclean spirits (Luke 11:25).  The devil’s involvement in the Scripture is very clear as Jesus warns Peter that Satan had asked to tempt him and been given permission (Luke 22:31).  Peter comes back later in his Epistle and warns us that the “devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).  

I don’t believe in vampires, but I do believe in the devil.  I find it intriguing how people put so much faith in the fantasy world but very little in the real-life examples and warnings found in the Bible.  It’s romantic to think that Dracula is a gentleman and will not come in unless invited; and then he causes all kinds of destruction.  Satan isn’t so courteous, and he lures none the less.  I’m reminded of what God told Cain, If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7

We can’t wait until sin is in our home before we take action.  The Bible is very clear that we must be proactive in our approach to the evil that is in our world.  The dark is overtaking the light at every turn, but what is most disturbing is that our leaders are letting it happen.  Nothing happens unless we allow it to happen, either by action or inaction.  When we know what is right and we do nothing due to political motivation or personal gain or loss that is worse than committing an openly sinful act. (Romans 1:32)  Pray for those who have the power to put protections into place for those who are the most vulnerable in our society.  Pray for common sense to return to our society, that the standard of truth might be restored in the world we live.  

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!  Isaiah 5:20-21 

Serving the Savior,  

Bro. Jonathan

 

By: Dr. Jonathan Richerson

Comments (0)

    No one has commented on this page yet.

Leave a Comment

You cannot post comments until you have logged in. Login Here.