Shane,
Having being blessed to have a brother in this
world by the same name, I suppose I was drawn to this topic for my first response. And while not having such a deep understanding of the finer points, which I am sure have been presented here, or may well be brought to
light at yet a later time; I will endeavor to do like unto Peter (Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6) and simply offer that which I have.
While skimming the prior responses to your inquiry, I did happen to note that there was mention that Ray would have us to do what Jesus would do.
So with that theme in mind, (WWJD) I will present a few more verses to shed some
light on this subject.
John 8:12. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life.
1 Peter 2:9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous
light;
John 17:14-26
14. I have given them thy word; and the
world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the
world.
15. I pray
not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the
world, even as I am not of the
world.
17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18. As thou hast sent me into the
world, even so have I also sent them into the
world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the
world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the
world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Heh... let me chime in here and say... I don't think that sounds like a hell theory to me..
John 3:16-21
16. For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. For God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the
world; but that the
world through him might be saved.
18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19. And this is the condemnation, that
light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil.
20. For every one that doeth evil hateth the
light, neither cometh to the
light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21. But he that doeth truth cometh to the
light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
How is this represented in the
world today?
Ephesians 4:12-16
12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ:
13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
We are the Body of Christ...
If we are the Body of Christ, and we are still in the
world, then there should still be
light in the
world....right?
Why are we to be
light?
Matthew 5:14-16
14. Ye are the
light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15. Neither do men
light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth
light unto all that are in the house.
16. Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven.
24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the
world.
25. O righteous Father, the
world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
To offer direction to the lost, and to edify the Body.
He is in us...
John 9:5. As long as I am in the world, I am the
light of the world.
Philippians 2:12-16
12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14. Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke,
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye
shine as
lights in the
world;
16. Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
We are to be His ambassadors here on earth until He returns, He will accomplish His plan with or without us, but what an honor to be of service to the King? There may be times in which a wilderness experience is needed... as He separates us and molds us more specifically for a given task without the interference usually found within the normal circles of society. Yet as someone earlier pointed out about the other people that were in the wilderness; It usually did not prove to be the place one would want to be, and even Jesus only stayed for 40 days. I believe like someone else mentioned... You were Born in America for a reason, what reason is that?.....To be of greater service to the King....you live in the land of opportunity... what greater example do you need... the current president is the son of an immigrant.... All things are possible to him who believes, especially if that believer also knows Who to believe in....While I don't consider myself associated with any particular denomination... I do agree with your notion that things in this age are starting to become Kingdom focused....The Kingdom of God was Jesus message... and is what we look forward to... why not be central to what He is doing in these last days...
Well, I have endeavored to offer mostly scripture, and comment as little as possible...as I know I am still learning myself...
I consider it an honor to have met such a fine group of believers
Keep your Focus on Serving the King!
Zer0ne
P.S.
One other thought after reading more into the topic...How could western civilization be the wine that all nations have partaken of, if in fact at the time this was written there was no way for any civilizations to be affected by a western civilization? Plus, I would like to think that whatever, this is referring to would have actually had the same impact on "ALL" nations from beginning to end... yet here in the end of time, once and for all there will be an end put to this atrocity. Just some food for thought.