In the ancient world news didn’t travel very fast. Even far more recently battles happened after the war ended. For instance, the Battle of New Orleans happened (January 8th, 1814) AFTER the Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve. It wasn’t until the middle of February in 1815 the news reached the area, and that after the Second Battle of Fort Bowyer on February 8th. I write about this only to demonstrate how slowly information traveled.
In Roman times wars were fought in areas far from centers of political decision-makers. The military leaders would have to send messengers with news to the people back home. If the battle went poorly, the messages were filled with advice on how to prepare for a suspected counterattack. “Block off Last Ditch Road and put archers along the bluffs on both sides.” Things like that.
If the battle went well, the messages were proclamations of good new. “Caesar Blowhard sends his Good News about beating the Dirtbags of Podunk.” But the word used for good news was always gospel. “The Gospel of Caesar Blowhard details the defeat of the Dirtbags.”
So when you see “The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew,” you can know the battle is already over. Jesus won. It’s good news - literally, “gospel.”
Christianity is the only major world religion where the battle is already over. All others give advice on how to win your future battles. They tell you to block off pain and suffering, suck it up, and soldier on with archers lining the bluffs along Last Ditch Road.
Jesus already beat the Dirtbags. The enemy is in full retreat, and the only tactic they have left is a scorched earth policy that can never result in their victory. The only thing they can do is drag others down with them, so that’s what they do.
People all over the world have to decide for themselves if they want to be with the King above all kings, or with the Legions of Dirtbags.
Don’t get me wrong - the Dirtbags have a lot of fight left in them, and they can make their side seem like winners. They’re not. The banquets they put on, the wine they drink, and the revelry they engage in is like the last party King Belshazzar threw in Daniel 5.
But the writing is already on the wall. You area already being weighed and measured.
Which side of the war are you on?
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