The mind

DEVOTION

THE REVELATION

THE MIND

Rev 17:9-11

9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

NIV

Here again we have may who have approached this from a historical point of view seeing the various Caesars who have reigned in Rome or point to the secession of Popes who have ruled over the Vatican. These views, as they have always been, remove any application to the current life or life to come. They eliminate the need for self-examination, but offer, what appears as a scholarly approach. This can only serve to lift the commentator in the eyes of others. When the scripture calls for a mind of wisdom it certainly cannot mean the mind of man for God has already declared that man’s wisdom is foolishness to God.

1 Cor 3:19-21

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; 20 and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."   21 So then, no more boasting about men!

NIV

There is but one wisdom and that is the wisdom of God. In order for any man to have any understanding at all, any form of truth about the scripture he must have the mind of Christ.

1 Cor 2:12-16

12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.   14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:

16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

NIV

This is what is called for here, to have the mind of Christ, to have a spiritual understanding of all this. When we seek to see this as history, observing with the wisdom of man, we are, in the eyes of God, foolish. This is not to say that we have more understanding then men who have spent their lives in study of such things, yet why would God want us to know about ancient history of man, and not about his reign over the earth? It is certain that throughout the course of mankind’s existence there has been and will continue to be struggles for power and authority over nations and people either through governance or religion. There has been and will continue to be reigns that have risen and fallen. The battles of mankind will always be until God brings it to an end. These powers described for us here may well be spiritual battles for the hearts and minds of people. False teachings, false doctrines of faith. Yet if, as we considered, this great prostitute who rides upon the beast with seven heads and ten horns is the ideology of wealth, or secular success, then these hills or kings are various economic ploys to entice man. Some have come along and some are here now, the most current is the accumulation of physical gold. We are being badgered by so many who are trying to sell us some form of gold. Yet this too will pass and some other form or scheme to entice people, even believers, into thinking it is the right thing to secure ones future through wealth. But this may only be in America. Other countries strive to secure their future with oil, or through nuclear gain. Yet we still see many countries today endeavoring to take over as leaders of the world economy. We must always remember man’s wisdom is foolishness to God. God’s foolishness is greater than man’s wisdom. If we are to have the mind of Christ, we should never look to the inventions or ideologies of man for our future, but only look to God, for he is and always has been and will always be our future. Our security has always been and will always be in him. With man there will always be a rise and fall in every aspect of living whether it be of governance or of religious nature. Both governments and religions have had their turns at having power and both have seen many fall by the wayside to give way for another to endeavor to lead. But with God, he has never fallen, he has always been and is now and will continue to be. He is the only source of all power, especially the power within our hearts and minds. No matter what forces of man rise and fall, our future is secure in Christ. We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of that future. This is the wisdom from on high. We need not the mind of man,but the mind of Christ.