‘Brutal Planet‘ was released in 2000.  It is one of Cooper’s darker albums – focusing on the demise and destruction of humanity.  Very much like the red pill and blue pill in the Matrix.  This album focuses on what life looks like when God and His plan are left out of the equation.   The product of such an equation is a burning wasteland ruled by Satan – a spinning ‘ball of hate’.

The title track has become a fan favorite in his live shows and focuses on the atrocities of mankind.  Almost historical in nature, it details the fall of man, original sin, the crucifixion of Christ, wars, the holocaust, false idols, etc.  In a nutshell, the rebellion of mankind – what life looks like apart from the Love of Christ.  C.S. Lewis summed it up in a beautifully worded quote:  “A creature revolting against a creator is revolting against the source of his own powers–including even his power to revolt. It is like the scent of a flower trying to destroy the flower.”

It’s funny how society is continuously posing questions to God.  How could He ever allow such things to happen?  Famine. Abuse. Disease. Injustice. Inequality. The list goes on.  Yet wouldn’t the better questions be – Why don’t we listen to Him? Why don’t we follow His guidelines?  Why don’t we seek His Love? Why don’t we seek His Will?  While the Word has much to say about rebellion, this post will focus on two particular passages: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”  – 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV)

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul writes about the last days. The last days began after Christ’s resurrection and will continue until His second coming.  Until then, it will become more and more comfortable to slide into the ways of the world.  Loving God requires us to lay aside our pride and our accomplishments. Giving Him credit and the glory for the things we do and achieve in this life.  Take some time to look at that verse and really study your life against Paul’s list. Are there areas where you struggle?  The characteristics of Paul’s list are not difficult.  It’s easy to disobey, hold grudges, give in to selfish pleasures, etc.  Walking with God, learning to love one another, seeking His will over your own – those things are difficult.  They require effort, sacrifice, focus, drive, etc.  Paul warns us about others that match the characteristics he lists, but Christ still requires us to love them.  Don’t be too hasty about writing off others for their shortcomings and failures.  We are still called to LOVE them as ourselves.  There is no scenario in which the Bible requires or asks us to hate a fellow human being.  Any theological idea or discussion that does not expect us to love is not from God – it’s demonic.

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NIV)

In these verses, we find the Thessalonians on the edge of hopelessness.  Paul is discussing with them the nature of evil, false prophecies, misinformation, and the final judgment. While he was laying out some details of what was still to come, he was ultimately trying to keep them from focusing too much on what was going on around them.  God is in control and will be victorious.  The state of the world and the darkness that consumes much of it are no match for His Glory, yet in this passage, the Thessalonians could not control their excitement and anticipation for Christ’s return.  One day they would be stagnant in their faith, seizing to be productive, anticipating His return minute by minute.  Then the next day, they would lose all hope because He had not yet arrived.  Paul urged them to balance those emotions and focus not on events but on their faith.

How often do you focus on the state of the nation? The sins of your fellow man? What is still to come? These questions can sometimes cast doubt on our faith.  Have you ever heard someone say I would believe if God would just _________? Or maybe, I just can’t believe because of _____________.  Fill in the blank with any myriad of excuses or complaints.  There’s this beautiful thing God has bestowed upon mankind known as free will.  God is not someone that wants to force Himself upon His creation.  He wants us to seek Him.  He wants us to learn about Him.  It seems petty of anyone to blame God for the shortcomings of mankind.  In retrospect, it’s easier to blame us.  Seeing where we went wrong.  Had we followed His course learning from our mistakes (instead of repeating them) – wouldn’t we be better off? If each person was to focus on their own individual life, walking and meeting their Creator with compassion, obedience, and Love – would that not spill over into the lives of everyone they came into contact with?  Until He returns, He’s entrusted us with this ‘Brutal Planet.’  Can anyone really blame Him for this ‘ugly world’?