SLAYING THE BEAST - Introduction 1 of 5 from Iraq Prophecy "Parable" 2008

There is honor and virtue in fighting on principle to help others and to carry on a hopeful future for all. Defending our country, our families, and anyone in perilous or unjust situation becomes our duty. We ought to agree that such acts would prove a noble character; they are like legendary stores wherein their heroes carried out feats of courage and were always duly exalted.

Tradition in every part of the world has portrayed one man who, as the main character in the stor, slays a dragon, a serpent of a formidable monster for the liberation of people that suffered from its assault. In ancient Greek mythology Hercules was cited as a superman with his twelve famous "Labors" (heroic acts), who fought a similar monster, the nine-headed hydra.

Each head had the most lethal poison and as soon as one was cut off, two heads would emerge in its place - that is probably how it had grown nine heads at that time - but as Hercules destroyed each of the eight heads he burned the roots in the would right away with firebrands. This worked well enough for thin to stop the eight heads from reproducing, except that one head, the ninth and least head, which remained in the center, was immortal. Finally, with great struggle he succeeds to sever the night head which is immortal, and away form the hydra's body, he buries the final immortal evil head under a large, cumbersome stone.

What a thrill is elicited from myths!

In the end the hero always proves to be powerful ,intelligent and kind, except that we do not believe those dragons ever lived among people. But, there is truth that can be found in such stories in a parabolic meaning, as these wild creatures represent immortal spiritual entities. The Word of God points to such domination in Eph 3:10, "... Principalities and powers in heavenly places," and speaks of their human deputies in mortal flesh - vicious dictators, brutal regimes who are like demons harassing all people around them on the earth. God is known in Psalms 135:10 as He "Who smote great nations and slew might kings;" and is praised in Psalms 136:17-18, "To Him Who smote... and slew famous kings; for His mercy endures forever; God also for our times, had spoken of such a villain in Jeremiah 50:43 and Isaiah 14:4, "... a parable against the king of Babylon..." In words that resonate with victorious encounter against a monster, in this parable God proclaims the fall of an evil leader. As God's command is executed in Iraq even today, it is plausible to recognize the actions of valor in the battle - which is also a grand spiritual battle - and feel great admiration for the bravery, loyalty, and unselfishness of those who risk life and limb for high ideals.

Provisionally now at the start of our story, so as to avoid any discord with regard to sacrifice in other instances, the question is: in what situation does God sanction the task of self-sacrifice?

As a rule, God hates suicide. It is a sever sin to the same degree as committing murder, especial in the case of a terrorist bomber who makes his death a weapon for killing others. No one owns his life; life belongs to God, the Creator of life. To massacre others for someone's dogma is outrageously wrong. A person's belief is only the concern of God and an intimate matter between man and God. It is in God's jurisdiction to judge the intrinsic issues of faith and not the job of an irrational bomber who plays God's part using a fictional excuse as a duty for his deliberate aim to kill "unbelievers." By being the Giver of life, the true God can take life at any time, yet He does not impose faith against our will.

However, God is pleased with the solder who offers his life for a noble cause in guarding and defending the lives of others. God has set in wildlife a similar instinct of sacrifice which is shown in all living things by their standing alert with the impulses of a mother protectiveness for their offspring. Nature asserts us.

God expects us to eagerly and constantly search to find Him because He is our Creator, but He is against anyone who imposes a belief or compels another to denounce his belief by means of violence, oppression, constraint or threat. Everyone must be open to hear and learn all he can about God in order to make conscious choices and decisions of faith. The Spirit of God may motivate some to read His Scriptures, the Bible, but on the other side He does not stop anyone from giving all kinds of erroneous religious sermons, even those who alter His truth. He would let people freely convey their thought to such an unfathomable extent that atheists, those who vehemently oppose God, and those who curse God, are uninhibited to speak their mind. There is no protection; except a man must be inquiring to carefully evaluate what he hears. And then God will grant His help. God is looking for the sincere and persistent seeker of truth. Certainly, we are held personally responsible for the options we take for our beliefs.

God has the ultimate authority over everyone's destiny and only He can attribute the forgiveness or fault, reward or retribution. We should not be judging or judged by anyone here on earth, nor should we be prematurely penalized to be murdered for our faith.

Faith is to be considered above this world in an after-life judgment. There will be either salvation or condemnation for each one - except that now the Spirit of God can affirm in one's heart the fact of his salvation or his calling for service. God has in His Word a plan and knows exactly how to do these things, and He has no need of the help of a religious activist.

God speaks through the Bible. He says to the believer, it is indeed an honor to you when the authorities or others would harm you or impose death upon you because of your faith. This warning is given in sure words in Matthew 24:9, "They will deliver you to affliction, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name." The evil forces may go in a rage against the true believers, but in contrast God has ordered His people to peacefully preach the gospel of Christ, and under no circumstances to inflict harm on anyone.

the other warning of God is for us to be watchful as we approaching the end times. Faithfully we must look into certain events that have an apparent connection with God's Project and we need to receive advice for His Word that has preceded the events. There are important signs written for our vision to walk as a body of believers guiding us and keeping us together. A careful review of these prophecies will be necessary along with the corresponding events which will adjust our overall preparation.

At the outset we must rationalize certain contemporary concerts to avoid any hindrance to our correct interpretation and to elude the wrong thinking of the world

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