Saturday Song: The Eagles, "Hotel California"

This is perhaps the most controversial song by The Eagles. Certain evangelical leaders claimed that the lyrics praised Satan. For example, the line about not having that spirit here since 1969 was supposedly referring to the founding of the Church of Satan. Gathering in the master's chambers and not being able to stab the beast to death was supposedly a reference to the Antichrist. These  people also spun  other songs backwards, searching for hidden messages.

Listen to the song here and decide for yourself.

I don't know if this is true about the song or if it's just another conspiracy theory. What I do know is that sinners are locked into a dead end life. Seeking pleasure isn't satisfying since the feeling wears off. Furthermore, God can give permanent joy which the world can't give.

Psalms 4:2 (BBE) tells us, "O you sons of men, how long will you go on turning my glory into shame? how long will you give your love to foolish things, going after what is false?"

It's true as well that sinners are prisoners of their own device. They actually work hard to go to hell. Romans 6:23 (BBE) explains what they earn. "For the reward of sin is death; but what God freely gives is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."
And though the person couldn't leave the hotel, sinners do have somebody who can rescue them. Acts 2:38 (BBE) holds the answer. "And Peter said, 'Let your hearts be changed, every one of you, and have baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will have the Holy Spirit given to you."

Surrendering to the rule of Christ and asking his forgiveness for sin is thee only way to be freed from a dead-end life. After all, is Champaign on ice and mirrored ceilings really worth an eternity in hell's agony?

Christ told a parable of a rich man and a beggar, both of whom died. The rich man in hell begged Abraham in heaven for a little relief from his torment. Here's Abraham's reply in Luke 16:25 (BBE). "But Abraham said, 'Keep in mind, my son, that when you were living, you had your good things, while Lazarus had evil things: but now, he is comforted and you are in pain."

Heaping up riches won't protect anybody either when God takes us out of this life. As Psalms 39:6 (BBE) reminds us, "Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it."

And at the end of this age, those who trusted in anything other than Christ's salvation will suffer for ever in eternal torment. Revelation 20:14 (BBE) warns every one, "And death and Hell were put into the sea of fire. This is the second death, even the sea of fire."

Thanks to Roger Brannon of Tallahassee, Florida for indirectly inspiring this post.

On Monday, provided that Christ doesn't return first, I want to post about why we must hope for the best but plan for the worst.

Saturday Song: Harry Chapin, "Thirty-Thousand Pounds of Bananas"

This song about a real event sounds comical but it was no laughing matter for a certain truck driver. He descended the hill going into Scranton, Pennsylvania when his brakes failed.

Ever the storyteller, Harry Chapin immortalized this hapless driver in a song. Listen to it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGldNpngDws

Death is the most-feared event for people, generally speaking. It ranks even higher than public speaking. In fact, most folks would rather not think about their impending demise.

Even so, death stalks us all. As James 4:13 and 14 (BBE) reminds us, "How foolish it is to say, Today or tomorrow we will go into this town, and be there for a year and do business there and get wealth: When you are not certain what will take place tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist, which is seen for a little time and then is gone."

The reason we are all headed for death is because of Adam and Eve's disobedience of God's single prohibition for them. Genesis 2:16 and 17 (BBE) states, "And the Lord God gave the man orders, saying, 'You may freely take of the fruit of every tree of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you may not take; for on the day when you take of it, death will certainly come to you.'"

From that terrible day of disobedience onward, we all dwindle and eventually die. Death is also the payment for the work of sin. As Paul noted in Romans 6:23 (KJV) "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

A day will come when death will be no more. Revelation 21:3 and 4 (BBE) reminds us who have placed our faith in Christ, "And there came to my ears a great voice out of the high seat, saying, 'See, the Tent of God is with men, and he will make his living-place with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God.' And he will put an end to all their weeping; and there will be no more death, or sorrow, or crying, or pain; for the first things have come to an end."

But those who resist God to their deaths will suffer a terrible fate. Revelation 20:14 (BBE) warns, "And death and Hell were put into the sea of fire. This is the second death, even the sea of fire."

On Monday, I hope to publish a post about why Christ is called the Lion of Judah.