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GOLD FEVER
On January 24, 1848, James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, touching off the California gold rush. Thus began one of the largest human migrations in history, as a half-million people from around the world descended upon California in search of instant wealth. 'Gold fever' drove this frantic 'rush.' This precious metal was the prime natural commodity at the time. The demand, all around the world, was greater than the supply.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
The stimulation of 'supply and demand' results in an exchange of 'goods' that someone needs from someone else who has them. In this swapping, both parties receive gratification. This basic business principle does not stand alone but mimics the very principles of the generation of life. Physical life comes as a result of some kind of mutual exchange.
SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY
Our western mindset, based on the Greco-Roman culture, conditions us to think in a compartmentalized fashion, separating the different aspects of our being. However, Hebraic thought, even though it allows for defining spirit, soul and body as being distinct, does not separate these but sees them as inextricably intertwined. If this holds true, then the principles of life in the natural world must have spiritual counterparts that cross over at some point. Therefore, we have something that spiritual forces deeply desire, the 'gold' of the unseen realm; our worship!
THE PRIME COMMODITY
If worship is the prime commodity in spiritual dimensions, then the war over it has been going on since the fall of Lucifer. He was relieved of his post as prime worship leader in Heaven because of jealousy and pride over all the worship being focused on God. Created beings, Lucifer included, are not capable of handling worship when it is directed at them.
Paul and Barnabas knew this when they healed a crippled man in Lystra. They were horrified when the locals began to worship them, "When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they yelled out in the language of Lycaonia, 'The gods have turned into humans and have come down to us!' The people then gave Barnabas the name Zeus, and they gave Paul the name Hermes, because he did the talking. The temple of Zeus was near the entrance to the city. Its priest and the crowds wanted to offer a sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul. So the priest brought some bulls and flowers to the city gates. When the two apostles found out about this, they tore their clothes in horror and ran to the crowd, shouting: 'Why are you doing this? We are humans just like you. Please give up all this foolishness. Turn to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.'" (Acts 14:11-14 Contemporary English Version)
FOR HIS PLEASURE
The 'Eternally Existent One' is the only one Who is able, and entitled, to receive the worship He expects from His creation. Only a perfect being cannot be corrupted by the attention that worship brings, and the Lord is the only one, in all dimensions and in all times, Who can claim perfection. He created the universe for His pleasure, and His pleasure is worship. "...Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power [worship]: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." (Rev. 4:11 KJV).
THE PRIMARY WAR
All war began with the war over worship in Heaven that caused Lucifer to be cast down into the Earth, becoming Satan. However, his jealousy against God continued, competing for our hearts, from the Garden until today. Even the present war on terror, the culture war, the war against drugs or any other war, is ultimately over who will be worshipped. "Our leisure, even our play, is a matter of serious concern. There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan." - C. S. Lewis.
But ultimately, we know that the 'father of lies,' and arguably 'the father of wars,' has already been defeated 2000 years ago and that, in the end, we win!
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