We are living in dark times -the closer we move toward Christ’s second coming, the more we witness all that is expected to happen when evil rules. Should one be surprised to witness a lack of morality and righteousness around them?? Yet, as the world excels (rather degrades) in new degrees of wickedness every day, there is light and hope for the children of God.
When evil rules, the people groan (Proverbs 29:2), but the sons of God see a new light (Isaiah 60:1).
There may be injustice, corruption, death, and decay all around us, but they do not reach our dwelling place. Instead, with our eyes, we look and see how the wicked are punished! (Psalm 91:8)
But, Why Do the Wicked Flourish? Why Does God Let Evil Rule?
I was reading the book of Exodus, the march of Israelites out of slavery and bondage that lasted 400 years! And when on the last plague (the death of the firstborns), a phrase stood out-
Then, burning with anger, Moses left Pharaoh.
Exodus 11:8
The land of Egypt, the center of civilization and historical discoveries, went through 10 horrible plagues, and the last one wiped off a significant population of Egyptians and their livestock. To save you time, I would just summarize the entire story in the following paragraphs.
The Israelites who came to dwell in the land of Egypt flourished by the grace of God and multiplied so greatly that they became extremely powerful and filled the land (Exodus 1). A new Egyptian Pharaoh, who knew nothing about Joseph (he saved Egypt from famine by interpreting the previous Pharaoh’s dreams- Genesis 41), came to rule the land.
The new Pharaoh grew fearful of the teeming, vigorous Israelites, and to subdue them, made them work as slave laborers. For 400 years, they labored under harsh taskmasters and their cries reached their creator, the El-Shaddai, the Almighty God of Israel.
Through Moses, God planned to execute the greatest exodus in human history, but the Pharaoh had his own plans. He refused to give in and hardened his heart, indifferent to the 9 plagues which tormented every Egyptian on the land.
God let him rule, and He hardened the Pharaoh’s heart against the children of Israel. Why?
Because when evil rules, the leader/ruler makes themselves the center of the universe (literally)! The Pharaohs of Egypt were worshipped as gods, the sons of the “Sun” god, “Ra”. The earth had to revolve around him, not around some slave nation’s “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
What Happens When Evil Rules?
Woebegone! Alas, the days when the wicked rule! History has countless episodes of unprecedented, unspeakable human wickedness that marred the memories of even generations to come.
While the outcome of such a rule is far from pleasant for those afflicted, there is good news!
Like the teacher says in Ecclesiastes, everything has its time and there’s nothing new under the sun. Even when evil rules, its dominion is limited.
As a believer, born again in Christ, here are 4 things you can expect to happen when evil rules.
You will shine brighter
Ever seen a candle glow in the dark? The darker it gets, the brighter it shines. The darkness can not comprehend the light, and neither can it overpower it. (John 1:5)
When things go wrong around you, when people can’t show even an iota of goodness, that’s when you will shine for all to see. Goodness can’t be buried. Like a whiff of breeze in the dry desert, your Christ-like nature will stand out in a world hell-bent on destroying all that’s beautiful.
And the best part, it’s not your own self-efforts that make you shine, but the glory of God that rises to shine on you! (Isaiah 60:1)
Nations will come to your light
What will the light in you do? Point to a God who is true, eternal, almighty…a God who is Love, Our Father in Heaven! The result? The ones drawn to the light, seek the source, seek the kingdom, and become part of it.
Our God is not a god of misery and woes. His plan never included death or decay. Eden was indeed a paradise of provision and overflow, that man lost to the evil one. And yet, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, that any who believes in Him may not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16-17)! The light that we have is the Light of the Son, who gave His life to redeem our lives.
When evil rules, His light in you will draw people around you to Him and you will become a living, walking, talking gospel- the messenger of love, joy, and hope!
You will be wealthy (literally)
Now, this is going to ruffle a few feathers, but when evil rules, the wealth of the lands will reach your hands!
But why? So you can have all it takes to preach, spread, and live the Word! Forget the old adage “as poor as a church mouse.” The church of Christ is NOT POOR! Far less, a mouse!
Christ is the wisdom and the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:24) When you have Him in your life, you have it all. The wisdom (Hebrew: Sakal) to make the right decisions and the power (Hebrew: Koach) to make money.
It would be naive to say we don’t need money in a world driven by dollars. We need and are entitled to all the resources, even more than the sons of the world (Galatians 3:29).
Yet, what does a believer need resources for? To spread the word, to bring His kingdom as it is in heaven on earth! Think of what I can do now with a basic internet connection and a limitless online space. But it cost me something, known as “money”. You will need it too and when evil rules, the resources will flow into your hands from lands far and wide (Isaiah 60:5).
You will be a sight to behold!
I will accept their offerings,
and I will make my Temple glorious.
Isaiah 60:7
The righteous are bold as lions (Proverbs 28:1). Have you ever seen a lion? Even on Nat Geo? The thing about lions is that they are not the strongest, sharpest, or largest of beings in the animal kingdom. Yet they are the kings of the jungle. Why?
Because of their majestic nature, which originates from their identity. (Watch what Dr. Myles Munroe has to say about lions as leaders)
We are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) and it’s this righteousness that makes us “bold” and a sight to “behold” even when evil rules!
What’s more, even our physical bodies will manifest the glory of God for as believers, we are the temple of God and His spirit resides in us! (1 Corinthians 6:19)
When Evil Rules, the Righteous Reign!
A single post can’t contain all the amazingness that’s in store for us as we wade through dark waters and await the 2nd coming of the lion of Judah! Remember, no matter how dark it gets, we reign in life (yes, even now!) through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:25). And even amidst darkness and despair, God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)!
Stay blessed and bright and I’ll be back with more awesome things to expect and rejoice about even while evil rules.
Food for Spirit
Who are you worshipping today?
Isn’t it interesting, every ruler/ leader who turned out bad first established their own selves as the be-all and end-all of all human endeavors?
From Nero to Caligula to Hitler to the North Korean leaders, anytime the people of God were persecuted, it was because of an authority figure who sought to be worshipped instead of the only King worth worshipping- yep, that’s Jesus!
