the times we live in are marked by a growing darkness and wickedness that seeks to exalt the power of the God of this world as we reflect on the recent events of the Olympic Games particularly the closing ceremony held on Sunday August 11th in Paris it is imperative that we open our eyes to the spiritual realities at play these ceremonies both the opening and closing have been steeped in symbolism that cannot be ignored serving as a stark reminder of the influence and power of Satan who the Apostle Paul refers to as the God of this
world in 2 Corinthians 4:4 the title God of this world has great significance the Apostle Paul's reference to Satan as the God of this world is not a title given lightly in the Bible when someone is ascribed a title it carries with it profound significance encapsulating the essence role and influence of that individual Satan as the God of this world wields considerable control over the systems and structures of this age he influences governments cultures and even religions twisting them away from the truth of God yes Satan himself has founded religions an unsettling truth that many
Christians struggle to accept however as Christians it's crucial to recognize that Lucifer as the God of this world wields power using this power he has established religions that have led billions of people astray the Bible says it so clearly Galatians 1: 8-9 but though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed as we said before so say I now again if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received let him be a cursed the Bible
warned us never trust an angel who preaches another gospel other than the one that has been preached do you know that actual religions have been started based on an individual claiming they had been visited by angels and these Angels Came to them with divine revelation preaching another gospel the Bible describes him as the God of this world for a real reason this title reminds us that Satan's influence is pervasive and Insidious he is not an innocent bystander but an active agent of deception steering the hearts and minds of people away from God however we must
always remember that while Satan may have power in this world his rule is not ultimate Psalm 24:1 declares the Earth is the Lord's and all its fullness the sovereignty of God remains unchallenged everything in this world is ultimately under God's Dominion yet within the boundaries Allowed by God Satan exercises a form of dominion particularly over those who do not acknowledge the true God the recent Olympic ceremonies provide a vivid example of just how pervasive his influence is revealing the spiritual warfare that is often hidden beneath the surface of our daily lives during the opening ceremony
many perceived a display that was unmistakably demonic filled with imagery and symbolism that glorified Lucifer the ceremony was a spectacle of Darkness presenting a narrative that was at odds with the light of the Gospel but if the opening ceremony set a high bar for such inspiration the closing ceremony outdid itself further revealing the depths of spiritual warfare that rages around us [Music] the central figure of the closing ceremony was the golden Voyager who scours a lifeless desolate Earth the organizers of the event claim that this character is a tribute to various elements of France's historical
Heritage including the spirit of the bastile however for those who are spiritually Discerning it is clear that this figure is a representation of Lucifer himself the mainstream media May Mock and dismiss the concerns of Christians claiming that we are overreacting or seeing things that aren't there but the symbolism is undeniable for those who understand the spiritual battle at play the Bible tells us in Luke 10:18 that Jesus said I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven this golden Voyager descending to the Earth is a chilling reminder of Lucifer's fall he was once an exalted being
a bearer of light but through his Rebellion he was cast down from his high position Isaiah 14: 12-15 recounts this fall how you are fallen from Heaven oh Lucifer son of the morning how you are cut down to the ground you who weaken the Nations for you have said in your heart I will Ascend into heaven I will exalt my throne above the stars of God I will also sit on the Mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north I will Ascend above the heights of the clouds I will be like the
most high yet you shall be brought down to shol to the lowest depths of the pit despite the widespread criticism and concern the closing ceremony doubled down on the controversial imagery making it clear that these choices were not accidental but deliberate as the golden Voyager continues his journey he encounters the goddess Nike pronounced naika depicted as a headless statue along with hordes of acrobatic performers The Headless goddess also reminds us of the Fallen Angels who abandoned their rightful place in heaven and were cast down to earth Jude 1:6 speaks of these angels and the angels
who did not keep their proper domain but left their own Abode he has reserved in Everlasting chains under Darkness for the Judgment of the great day these Fallen Angels like Lucifer rebelled against God's order and were cast down as a result The Headless nikah surrounded by acrobatic performers is a grotesque parody of this rebellion and fall as we reflect on the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games we must recognize it for what it is a public Global display of allegiance to the powers of Darkness it is a reminder that we are engaged in a spiritual
battle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against Powers against the rulers of the darkness of this age against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the Heavenly places the ceremonies we have witnessed are not merely artistic performances or cultural celebrations they they are rituals that glorify Lucifer and the Fallen Angels they are a manifestation of the God of this world who seeks to deceive and blind the minds of the unbelieving as Christians we are called to be vigilant and Discerning to recognize the spiritual realities that lie beneath the surface of such events we must also
remember that despite the darkness that seems to Prevail in this world the victory belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ he has triumphed over sin death and the powers of darkness and he will return in glory to establish his kingdom until that day we must stand firm in our faith resist the devil and proclaim the truth of the Gospel to a world that is lost and deceived let's say we are reading too much into this closing ceremony that perhaps our interpretation of the symbolism is overreaching but even if that were true I struggle to understand how
anyone can view what took place as anything other than some sort of ritual the deliberate choice of symbols the orchestrated performances and the careful selection of imagery all point to something more than mere entertainment it is as if the ceremony itself is a mirror reflecting the spiritual realities of our time and if our eyes are open we cannot help but see it for what it is I hope this Olympic Games and its opening and closing ceremony have opened your eyes to the times we live in you are living in Dark Times where Satan does not
operate in the shadows but parades himself openly without reservation gone are the days when his influence was hidden behind closed doors or subtle deceptions now it is in plain sight for all who are willing to see the powers of darkness no longer hide they celebrate their influence in broad daylight daring us to notice daring us to speak out consider this Olympic athletes were banned from displaying Christian symbols at the games despite the opening ceremony featuring an obvious parody of one of the most iconic Christian symbols Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper the irony here is striking
and cannot be dismissed Brazilian Surfer joal chanka discovered this harsh reality when his surfboard adorned with an image of Christ the Redeemer was deemed a religious symbol he was forced to remove it to avoid disqualification from the competition think about that for a moment a simple image of Christ a symbol of Hope love and Redemption was deemed unacceptable in a global event that claims to promote unity and peace what does this tell us about the true nature of these so-called Global celebrations another Brazilian athlete Rea Leal faced a similar challenge she chose to quote a
Bible verse in Sign Language sharing the powerful words of John 14:6 Jesus answered I am the way and the truth and the life no one comes to the father except through me in a world that increasingly seeks to silence the name of Jesus Race's boldness stands out she found a way to proclaim the truth of the Gospel even in an environment that actively discouraged it yet this very Act of Faith highlights the clear anti-christian agenda present in these Olympic games from the mockery of the Last Supper to the suppression of Christian Expressions the message is
clear the world is moving further and further away from the truth of Christ but let us not be discouraged for the wonderful thing is that Jesus Christ will always be exalted no matter how much the world may try to suppress his name no matter how many times his followers are told to be silent the truth of Jesus Christ cannot be erased the Bible tells us in Philippians 2:9 to11 therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow
in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father throughout history leaders kingdoms and rulers have come and gone many have tried to remove the name of Christ or the Bible from history they have burned Bibles persecuted Christians and attempted to silence the message of the Gospel but they have all failed the word of God remains and it will continue to remain because it is the truth it is living and active sharper than any double-edged sword it is the very Breath
of God Eternal and unchanging even as the world grows darker the Light of Christ shines brighter in every generation there have been those who have tried to Snuff out the flame of Christianity but they have never succeeded the message of the Cross is as powerful today as it was 2,000 years ago people continue to come to faith in Christ lives continue to be transformed and the kingdom of God continues to advance we serve a risen savior a king who has conquered death and the grave Jesus Christ is alive seated at the right hand of the
father and he will return in glory Revelation 1:7 declares look he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him even those who pierced him and all peoples on Earth will mourn because of him so shall it be Amen in a world that seeks to exalt everything except the name of Jesus we have a mission we are called to be Salt and Light to stand firm in our faith and to proclaim the gospel boldly Matthew 5: 13 to6 ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt have lost his Savor wherewith
shall it be salted it is then forth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trodden underf fooot of men ye are the light of the world a city that is set on an Hill cannot be hid neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but put on a Candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven the darker the world becomes the more it
needs the Light of Christ and that light shines through you and me through our words our actions and our unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel let us not be intimidated by the powers of this world for they are temporary and fleeting let us not be silent when the world tells us to keep our faith private for the message of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and let us not be discouraged when we see the darkness growing around us for we know that the Light of Christ will ultimately Prevail as we reflect
on the events of the Olympic Games and the times we live in let us be reminded of the words of Jesus in John 16:33 in this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world our Lord has already won the victory the battle has been fought and won on the cross and because of that we can face the future with confidence and hope brothers and sisters let us continue to exalt the name of Jesus in everything we do let us Lift High the banner of the Gospel knowing that every knee will
bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord let us hold fast to the truth even when the world tells us to let go and let us rejoice in the knowledge that our savior Reigns now and forever more
