Even upside down this picture makes sense. Young children can recognize a "doggie" no matter whether the picture makes sense to us or not. But, it does seem strange to my adult mind to look at it this way. You know, its supposed to be the other way round, isn't it? Yet, in spite of all this, I still understand what is going on, but frankly, it is very unsettling to look at this picture for any length of time!!!
Forget this picture for a moment (if you can) and think of what is going on in the world. All over this planet, evil is increasing. It is obvious that we are on the brink of some cataclysmic event that will destroy the human race. Doubt that; well, think about how many nations have nuclear weapons and remember that not all of them appear to be functioning rationally! And this revelation of evil is not just showing its character militarily. Killing unborn babies has become a way of life (no pun intended) in our country. Bad behavior and morals are now the norm as evidenced by our inundated penal system. And these things are "normal"??
Having said these things, take a few minutes and read the scriptures cited below...
Acts, Chapter 17 (WEB)
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4 Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 5 But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. 6 When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!”
Proverbs, Chapter 14 (WEB)
12 There is a way which seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs, Chapter 16 (WEB)
but in the end it leads to death.
The new testament was written during the heyday of the Roman Empire. It ruled most of the known world with an iron fist! Paganism was the norm and even the ruler of Rome, Caesar, was considered a "god".
Along come Paul and Silas and preach Jesus. This is upsetting to their pagan minds and violence naturally follows. Today is no different- at the preaching of Jesus, ungodly minds react the same way. Human beings have not changed; man "knows" what is good for him and nobody should even think of telling him anything different, or there will be "trouble".
God's way is not man's way. Notice the quote from the book of Proverbs: two different verses from two separate chapters, saying the exact same thing. When God repeats himself, we had better listen!!!
Upside down or not, the world belongs to God and not us. And if we want to understand the truth, we need to actually listen to God and not ourselves.
Humm, And who knows, perhaps if we become like little children, we just might "get" it!!! You know, I think I have heard that somewhere before?
Mark, Chapter 10 (WEB)
15 Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
