Mark C. Tredecim's Blog, page 8
September 17, 2021
Do you want fries or salad with your elephant?
How do you eat an elephant?
(One bite at a time). That proverb is commonly thought to be of Chinese origin.
Elephants are amazing creatures created by God and they are already endangered thanks to ivory poachers and other bad actors. So I recommend you do not patronize any restaurant that has elephant on the menu.
Instead, I encourage you to read a great book by Vicki Croke (2014), “Elephant Company.” It tells of historical events in Burma during the Second World War, as the British battled the evil Japanese Empire. But the best parts of the book tell of the interaction between the elephants and their handlers (elephants served as the heavy construction equipment for the British and Burmese) and the interactions between the elephants themselves. The intelligence and personalities of the elephants are presented and some events may bring a tear to your eye.
This proverb is a word-picture for how to take on a seemingly-impossible task or project: one bite at a time. Many people have “read the whole Bible” on their “to do” or “bucket” lists, but they are intimidated by the 1,100 pages of small font and never get around to doing it. Good news: various Bible publishers offer ways to read the whole Bible in a year.
Tyndale House Publishers does an especially great job at this. They offer the “One Year Bible” in various translations and formats so that you can find the one best suited to you. These take the complete Bible and sort it into 365 daily readings. Each day you read something from the Old and New Testaments, Psalms and Proverbs. For example, on March 17th you would read Numbers 26:1-51, Luke 2:36-52, Psalm 60:1-12 and Proverbs 11:15. Typically it takes around 20 minutes for the daily reading. The “One Year Bible” format makes it easy to keep your place in the book and stay on track. I like this approach so much that I made the “One Year Bible” a story element within my novel The Great New Deal.
If you are interested in reading the Bible, you may want to do it soon. The Bible is already banned in many countries and unfortunately there are many in this country who would like to do so. In the future time period depicted by The Great New Deal, the Bible will be banned (or totally re-written by those in power, in furtherance of their evil intentions).
September 5, 2021
How Long is an Interlude?
HOW LONG IS AN INTERLUDE? WHEN WILL IT BEGIN?
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing long-time friends at a high school class reunion. These tend to occur at predictable intervals (e.g., at 5, 10, and 20 years). This event was a lot of fun and attendance was good, thanks to a clear plan and superb execution, including invitations that spelled out the date and time for the event.
The Bible spells out God’s plans for the End Times in great detail (particularly in the book of Revelation) and obviously God’s execution of His plans will be perfect. About two thousand years ago, Jesus told His disciples that only God the Father knows the day and hour when these End times events will occur. But Jesus warned the disciples (and us) to “be on guard!” and “stay alert!” His last words in the Bible are “Yes, I am coming soon.” In consideration of current events and societal trends, these warnings from Jesus should resonate with us now.
Some events during the End times have very clear and precise time periods. For example, the Rapture takes place “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye” (though we don’t know when that instant will be). The Tribulation period will be seven years long, and the earthly Millennial Kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ will be 1,000 years. That will be followed by the eternal state of a new Heaven and new Earth (which is precisely infinite).
One End Times period is described in Revelation chapters 4 and 5, and is commonly referred to as the Interlude. This is the period after Christian believers (alive and dead) are taken to Heaven in the Rapture. There are ceremonies in Heaven to worship God the Father and celebrate the qualifications of Jesus to launch the forthcoming judgements of the Tribulation. The Bible doesn’t state the duration of these events (from the perspective of those on Earth), but this period is generally thought to be relatively brief. In “The Great New Deal” the Interlude is depicted as an earthly period of several months, but it is likely to be shorter or longer (I can’t predict which).
However long the Interlude will actually be, it’s not going to be a pleasant time on Earth, as the removal of all Christians (in the Rapture) will cause great disruption for those left behind by the Rapture, on top of whatever natural disasters, wars, pandemics and civil unrest will plague the pre-Tribulation world. The best place to spend the Interlude will be in Heaven with other believers in Christ (make your reservation now).
To complement the reading of “The Great New Deal,” I am providing a timeline with the chronological sequencing of (1) the chapters of the novel (and the fictional events depicted in them) and (2) the End Times events and eras set forth in the Bible. To download or print this resource: [Great New Deal timeline].
The novel “The Great New Deal” imagines a resource called “Lifeline for the Lost Sheep,” prepared by two fictional pastors to help people understand the End Times prophecies. These End Times events are summarized in pages 18-27 of the novel’s appendix, “Excerpts from Lifeline for the Lost Sheep.”
August 30, 2021
A Clue for Clouseau (Inspector)
The Great New Deal includes an “Easter Egg” tribute to the Wizard of Oz. It’s pretty much out in the open (if you haven’t noted it, take a look at this outline [LINK]). There is a second, less obvious, tribute concealed within The Great New Deal. It remembers the great actor, the late Peter Sellers. As you’re reading the novel, be on the lookout for references to a couple of Sellers’ earlier comedies (in which he played multiple roles) and to one of his very last roles. The referenced movies had political undertones/messages, but were still quite funny and enjoyable. Undoubtedly, the greatest detective in France, Inspector Clouseau, would have no difficulty in solving this mystery.
August 26, 2021
Appropriating the Wisdom of Grandma
My long-departed Grandma got married during the Great Depression and raised two kids during the Second World War and the Korean War. Decades later, she was still living a financially responsible frugal life (e.g., After you use a teabag, wrap it in aluminum foil so you can use it multiple times. Roll your old newspapers tightly, soak them in some secret formula, and use them as fireplace logs). When she’d hear about some contemporary problem, a favorite comment was “nothing wrong with this generation that another Depression wouldn’t fix.”
As I review the news of today, the poor quality of our national, state and local leadership, and the failure of our business and church communities to positively address this situation, I have an update to her comment: “There is nothing wrong with this world that the Day of the Lord won’t fix.” Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Is Paterson Going to the Dogs?
Is There Hope for Paterson, New Jersey? Is it Going to the Dogs?
If you enjoy detective/mystery fiction, you may want to check out the bestseller “Andy Carpenter” series of novels (about a dozen titles), written by David Rosenfelt. These portray a lawyer (Andy) and his colorful circle of associates. They also feature dogs (Andy and Rosenfelt are both serious dog lovers) as indicated by some titles, “Hounded, Leader of the Pack and Play Dead.” I think I’ve read all of them and I watch for new books in the series; they have been a reliable and enjoyable light read.
Andy Carpenter and his team work to right wrongs and bring the real bad guys to justice. The PG/PG-13 language, violence and plots are at the level of the old TV detective shows “Monk” and “Columbo.” Andy’s unspoken thoughts and the dialogue are often humorous and entertaining. Nothing in the stories suggests that Andy or his circle of friends are Christians; they usually try to do the right thing and they do love dogs (but these won’t get anyone into Heaven; they need a personal relationship with Jesus).
The Andy Carpenter books take place primarily in Paterson, New Jersey (the novels suggest it’s a hotbed of crime). Recently I saw a news story about real-life Paterson, where there has been a jump in crime (following the pattern of most “blue-government” big cities).
Though these fictional characters seem to be on the wrong track for their eternal destiny, there is still hope for them. I chose Paterson, NJ as a site for the fictional storyline of The Great New Deal. Perhaps (pre-Rapture) Andy and his friends will meet someone from Amazing Grace Baptist Church of Paterson or Beth Ariel Messianic Congregation of Paterson and be introduced to their savior, Jesus Christ.
If these fictional characters don’t become believers before the Rapture, The Great New Deal offers them a second chance. They might meet Solomon or Benjamin Vogelscheuche, missionaries to New Jersey in the Tribulation, and learn the truth of Jesus before it’s too late.
We can hope (and pray) that the real-life people of Paterson and America will see the signs of our times and hear God’s final call to turn to Jesus.
August 25, 2021
The Groom is Coming Soon
The Groom is Coming Soon, to Carry His Bride Home
I recently attended a traditional American church wedding. A beautiful event and loaded with symbols familiar to most American adults (rings, vows, candles and processions). May this young couple be greatly blessed!
It was not at all like the typical Galilean Jewish wedding in the First Century AD. The New Testament contains several references to weddings, grooms, brides, guests and bridesmaids. Banquets, wine and lamps. It would be easy to skim over these as just interesting cultural details, but the Bible isn’t a history/sociology textbook. It’s a comprehensive communications system containing messages from God and its content has purpose.
When asked by His disciples about the timing of the End of the Age events, Jesus explained (Mark 13:32-33 and Matthew 24:36-44) that only God the Father knows that day and hour and that His followers need to keep watch.
I recently watched an interesting video that helps put these instructions from Jesus and the many New Testament wedding references in context. It’s titled Before the Wrath (2020, directed by Brent Miller Jr. and featuring Kevin Sorbo). The video is well-done and understandable. Pastors and scholars describe the wedding traditions of Galilean Jews during the First Century and explain how the teachings of Jesus regarding weddings, watchmen and the End Times are interconnected. The groom (Jesus) will come soon (in the event called the Rapture), to sweep His bride (the church) to His Father’s home for a joyous wedding celebration and to shield her from the coming time of great wrath (the Tribulation). Amen! Come soon, Lord Jesus!
Life Imitates Art
In August 2020, I wrote this review of the (excellent) book “Profiles in Corruption: Abuse of Power by America’s Progressive Elite” by Peter Schweitzer: “This book is very timely. It shines a light on the many bad deeds and few scruples of prominent “progressive” political figures. And it is well-researched with lots of documentary citations. If nothing else, read the two first chapters, which deal with Mr. Biden and Ms. Harris. After reading that, I wouldn’t trust either with my wallet or car keys, much less the keys to the U.S. treasury and nuclear codes.”
Unfortunately, the ethically-challenged (and underqualified) duo were elected and we are now suffering the consequences of that election. To make matters worse, many of the other scurrilous characters covered by “Profiles in Corruption” hold powerful positions in the Biden cabinet or Congress. When you plant bad seeds, the tree will produce bad fruit; that’s what we are now finding in the American diet.
Not long after reading “Profiles in Corruption,” I was inspired to write the novella “Brave New Year,” describing life in an America under the unchecked rule of a progressive elite. That novella morphed into my novel “The Great New Deal,” published in early 2021. It has been eerie to see how many of the fictional events and themes in my book are coming true through the actions of those currently in power.
Perhaps Americans will see this and address it through future elections, but the “Big Axis” powers (big government, big tech, big media and big business/finance) will vigorously resist that. All of this seems to be further evidence for another theme of “The Great New Deal,” the Day of the Lord is coming soon (the End Times events recorded in the Bible). Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
August 24, 2021
7 Lessons We Must Learn from Nazi Germany
I recently read the book “When A Nation Forgets God” by Dr. Erwin Lutzer (pastor emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago). Its sub-title appears above. Though it was published in 2010, it seems to be even more relevant now. It describes (and documents) how the people of Germany and its institutions were corrupted during the 1930’s to pave the way for Adolf Hitler and his ilk to take over Germany and lead the nation (and the world) down a path of suffering, death and destruction. The book is not just an important history lesson- Dr. Lutzer connects these seven themes to America in the current era.
I highly recommend this book. It features a great foreword by Eric Metaxas (author of the excellent book, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy”) explaining the relevance of Dr. Lutzer’s book. I echo the words of Eric Metaxas, “Read Erwin Lutzer’s book!“
August 23, 2021
Epilogue for Project Hail Mary
This essay considers the excellent novel written by Andy Weir, “Project Hail Mary.” The essay explores two questions: “What happened next?” and “Is there intelligent life on other planets?” using a short fictional narrative.
Spoiler alert: The essay should be read only after you have read the novel.
The essay is provided free for your personal use and may not be reproduced, resold or distributed. I hope you read it and enjoy it.
The Return of the Space Hero!
Good science fiction is so hard to find, especially for Christian readers. So many SF books have premises that flatly contradict Biblical truth, or have protagonists who are repulsive. I prefer to see good win over evil and for the little guy to overcome great odds to save the day. That doesn’t appeal to everyone. Writers who focus on the mechanics of reproductive processes or whose vocabulary is full of four-letter words are a waste of my time and end up in the trash (or the library return box).
So I was very happy to see that author Andy Weir had written another excellent novel, Project Hail Mary, following the successful formula of The Martian: Smart hero (not overly self-confident) faces overwhelming odds, armed with math and science. Add other interesting characters, good dialog, and some humor (while keeping the language at a PG-13 level) and you’ve got something well worth reading (even worth buying).
But wait, you say! Christians can’t enjoy science fiction, especially if it involves the possibility of life on other planets. I agree that the Bible is silent regarding that possibility, but I counter that argument: God created the universe and we can’t set boundaries on the wonders of His creation. So I drafted a short essay, Epilogue for Project Hail Mary, to support my argument and to connect the events set forth by Mr. Weir to the coming End Times events described in the Bible. The essay accomplishes this through a fictional epilogue describing “what happened next” (it’s available free from this website- I hope you enjoy it and see how God is always in control). [Link to Essay]
