Anyone who has attended public school should be familiar with Marlow's Hierarchy of Needs. At the top of that pyramid is the concept of "Self Actualization"-- the status of arriving into one's self. To be self sufficient. To be recognized. To be esteemed. To be noticed. To reach morality, creativity, and purpose by way of one's self. To be somebody. This is society's primary goal and, consequently, God has been pushed out of process. In fact, the ego of our generation has become so enlarged that now people believe themselves to be God. Everywhere we look, we see this idea being propagated. Here's a few current examples of what I mean.
In Kayne's latest video "Power", he is portrayed to be a God-like entity in what seems like the same manner that many so-called gods have been depicted in neoclassical paintings--glorified and majestic. He stands in the center of what looks like some sort of celestial, supernatural phenomena. The pillars that are erected around him may indicate his "kingship" and the halo and sword hovering over his head seem to suggest his "deity". In short, the exact interpretation of this video is beyond me, but one thing is for sure: Kanye West has exalted himself to be as the Most High.
However, I am not surprised by any means. The Bible has already told Christians that this would, and has already happened. In Isaiah 14, the Bible recounts the story of Lucifer.
"12. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13. For thou has said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; i will be like the most High.
15. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. " (Isaiah 14:12-15).
Pride is a dangerous thing. The devil was once an angel named Lucifer. He was talented, beautiful, and powerful-- just the way God made him. However, because of pride, he began to believe that he was greater than his Creator. Now, because of pride, God's judgment awaits him. Today, we see a lot of people following the trend of Lucifer. Ironically, Marco Brambilla, the Director of Kanye's "Power", described the video as a "fall from grace."
At the burning bush, God commissioned Moses to be the deliver of Israel out of Egypt. At the time, Moses did not know God, nor was he aware of His existence. However, at the site of God and all His glory, "Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God" (Exodus 3:6). What an awesome site, the Lord and His Majesty!
Being unworthy and unlearned, Moses asked the Lord:
"When I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?" (Exodus 3:13)
God's reply is profound.
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
And God said moreover unto Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." (Exodus 3:14-15).
Being unworthy and unlearned, Moses asked the Lord:
"When I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?" (Exodus 3:13)
God's reply is profound.
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
And God said moreover unto Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." (Exodus 3:14-15).
We then see Jesus (the Messiah, God in Flesh) revealing to the Jews thousands of years later of who He is.
"Verily, verily I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58).
Jesus is I AM-- so why do we see so many people calling themselves I am? Find it not strange, The Bible has told us this would happen, thousands of years ago.
Isaiah 47:10-11 says
"For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
Therefore, shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou salt not know.
"Verily, verily I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58).
Jesus is I AM-- so why do we see so many people calling themselves I am? Find it not strange, The Bible has told us this would happen, thousands of years ago.
Isaiah 47:10-11 says
"For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
Therefore, shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou salt not know.
Closing Remarks
There is one God-- and His name is Jesus Christ. No one can receive His glory. As I was in the car, pondering on Kanye's video, God dropped a thought on me. You see all these entertainers trying to glorify themselves with computer enhanced graphics, large scale light shows at their concert, and the finest clothes-- but when you strip all that away, they are just like you and me. God, however, doesn't need counterfeit glory, For he is "The King of Glory" (Psalm 24).
"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God" (Romans 14:11).
God Bless You,
--Tre Michael
"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God" (Romans 14:11).
God Bless You,
--Tre Michael