Apocalypse, I said, viewed through media’s interpretation is death and destruction, the End of the World stuff. Some writers, with what they consider a Christian perspective, have suggested various scenarios that might take place before Messiah returns. They base their writing not only on the Book of Revelation, but also on other Bible Books such as the Book of Daniel and the Book of Ezekiel. At least one writer authored a whole series about those people remaining on Earth after the “rapture.” I haven’t read that series, but through others think the intent is to warn people of what it might be like on Earth while G-d’s wrath is poured out. But, as I quoted Pastor Jeff Shelton, “G-d’s read all the books, and He isn’t gonna do it that way, either.” And I totally agree.

Admittedly, though, I enjoy science fiction, including apocalyptic stuff. I like zombie books, too. I watch the television series Walking Dead, if only to point out the what-not-to-do moments in the program. I like the story lines in the fiction books and movies. Yes, I also like the action. I like the scenarios that are posed. The stories or movies don’t have to be believable, either; they do have to suspend my disbelieve, however. Some do. Some do not. And some reference the Bible and make me more than uncomfortable. Lately I’ve come to think that people could be deceived by the various accounts, especially if they seem as to portray a Biblical story. And maybe even if the book or movie doesn’t hold to a Bible story it leads to deceptive thinking.

Take “The Book of Eli” for instance. It is set AFTER a doomsday event that leaves most people dead and throughout the United States what remains is lawlessness; perhaps the entire world slide into savagery. The main character, Eli, is on a G-d-ordained mission to take a Bible to somewhere on the West Coast. And Eli has special, divinely provided powers. Eventually, the Bible is stolen. The man who took it, knew it contained the way of power. No matter, the Bible Eli carried was made in Brail, for the blind. And Eli continues onward anyway. Through lots of twists and turns, and lots of fighting, Eli eventually gets to Alcatraz, his final destination. The island houses a giant collection of books, and printing presses to make more. Eli recites from memory the entire Bible, which is then transcribed and printed. Mission completed, Eli dies. The nice newly printed Bible is placed on a library shelf next to the Koran. I had sudden and total let down at that. That’s the value of the Bible? It’s equivalent to the Koran? Bummer!

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:7-8

Another movie I enjoyed uses a virus spreading around the world as the apocalypse: Contagion, starring Matt Damon Gwyneth Paltrow Kate Winslet. According to Wikipedia, “the plot of Contagion documents the spread of a virus transmitted by fomites, attempts by medical researchers and public health officials to identify and contain the disease, the loss of social order in a pandemic that leads to martial law, and finally the introduction of a vaccine to halt its spread.” This film, though a work of fiction, was carefully researched, utilizing the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as renowned medical personnel such as W. Ian Lipkin and Lawrence “Larry” Brilliant. To better understand her part as a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) doctor, Kate Winslet spent a day with an EIS doctor at CDC in Atlanta.

At least one person, however, sees Contagion as being a bit sinister. “Most people watch movies to be entertained. Well, I for one can say that there was absolutely nothing entertaining about Contagion. In fact, the only difference between this movie and state-sponsored educational movies shown in schools is that with Contagion you actually have to pay to be indoctrinated … and to see Matt Damon. During the cold war, students were shown videos instructing them to “Duck and Cover” in case of a nuclear attack. Contagion conditions the masses to expect martial law and to throw themselves at the first available vaccine in case of a crisis..”—Vigilant Citizen

During the martial law phase, there are food distributions and mostly people stay home, inside. Eventually a vaccine is available, and is slowly produced. A lottery is in place to “fairly” distribute it. The wheels or commerce once again begin to turn. And toward the end of Contagion, the character portrayed by Matt Damon is finally able to pass security screening to shop in a mall; he shows the wrist band he received when his lottery number came up and he was able to be vaccinated. Okay, it’s not like the mark of the beast or anything. He didn’t sign some sort of loyalty oath to the government denouncing Lord Y’shuaJesus. But it didn’t have to, which is why this and other movies like it are troubling to some, and may be deceptive too. I’ll leave it up to you to figure out why. Hint: it has to do with cognitive dissonance.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus

Revelation 22:20

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