In lesson #1 of our series, we have looked at 3 different “evidences” that the world claims proves that Zombies exist:
1. The CDC publication (http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/zombies_novella.htm)
2. The various news stories of current “Zombie” activity
3. Bible verses that have been described as speaking of “Zombie” activity and a coming “Zombie Apocalypse”.
In lesson #2 of our series, we saw that the Bible verses that are used to prove Zombie activity and a coming Apocalypse, actually, do not speak about Zombies at all. When taken in context, NONE of them speak of Zombie activity. In this lesson, the importance of keeping Bible verses in their context was illustrated and emphasized for us.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scXFfyZBujs]
As we now begin lesson #3, the final lesson of our series, let’s address these other “evidences” of Zombie activity that we have sighted….
First of all, what about the CDC report?
Not only did the CDC publish a handbook on preparation for a coming Zombie apocalypse, but they also issued a statement concerning this publication.
The Huffington Post reported that…
“Over the years the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a couple of tongue-in-cheek "zombie warnings," which really are just disaster-preparedness stunts.” “But on Thursday, the agency made it official: Zombies don't exist. CDC does not know of a virus or condition that would reanimate the dead (or one that would present zombie-like symptoms), wrote agency spokesman David Daigle in an email to The Huffington Post.”
See the entire article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/01/cdc-denies-zombies-existence_n_1562141.html
So, we find that the same CDC that was being a trusted source to prove Zombies exist, has now made it public that they were simply using the Zombie theme as a disaster-preparedness stunt. In other words, if we had kept the CDC handbook in the context of their other news releases, we would not have had this misunderstanding. Here, once again, the need for keeping information in CONTEXT rears it's ugly head.
The sad part is that in this fallen world, where men’s minds are affected by their fallen nature, there are many who actually believed this handbook was legitimate and based on fact.
OK, if the CDC was simply “pulling our legs” what do we do about all those news stories? How can we explain what is going on?
Actually this is a very good question that deserves a very serious answer. We’ll find some possible answers to this question in God’s Word…
The primary reason these events have taken place because we live in a fallen, sinful, rebellious world..
First of all, let’s keep in mind that the news stories contain accounts of the consumption of human flesh and not “Zombies”. What I mean is that the men who are committing the crimes in these news stories were eating human flesh, but nowhere do we find a claim that they have died and come back to life. This is a very important and overlooked point. The issue behind these news events is “cannibalism”, pure and simple. I believe the news media has simply used the “Zombie” storyline to heighten interest in these stories.
When we understand that these stories reflect cannibalism, it changes everything. We are now no longer looking at something is basically science-fiction brought to life; we are now looking at a type of act that has existed throughout history. The Bible had documented some events of cannibalism…. (Most of these events took place during the siege of Jerusalem when the Israelites were trapped in the city and starving to death…. Deut 28:53-57, Lev 26:29, 2 Kings 6:26-29, Jere 19:9, Ezek 5:10, Lam 4:10)
What was the cause of these horrible occurrences? They were the result of the hardness of fallen man’s heart. It was because of the sin of Israel that they were placed under siege by invading armies; and it was because of their refusal to repent of those sins that the siege continued to the point of their starvation. The cannibalism that took place in these events reminds us that we live in a fallen world that is filled with sin, rebellion, and stubbornness.
One thing is for certain, the events of today teach us of the existance of the same basic causes as the events that have taken place hundreds of years before. When we hear of those who attack others, physically harming and mutilating them, they are clearly proclaiming to us all the horrible shape that our world is in.
Our world is fallen, depraved and corrupted beyond human repair. The Bible makes this plain when we read “The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God. They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psalm 14:2-3)
And also… “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds:” (Rom 2:4-6)
When we see these most heinous actions we are reminded of how perverted mankind truly is when the restraining hand of God taken away…. (Roms 1:21-32)
A secondary influence could be demonic activity…
Demonic oppression can cause many harmful, depraved acts on the part of the one being influenced. Note this example of a demon possessed man in Mark 5:1-5… “And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had [his] dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any [man] tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Here, we find a demon possessed man who harmed himself as well as attempted to harm others. The men of the city had attempted to bind him with chains and fetters to protect themselves, only to have them broken off due to his supernatural strength.
If this is the root cause of these actions they are reminders of the existence of the powers of darkness that exist in the world and also we should be reminded that it is only through Christ that we can get the victory over these evil powers. Heb 2:9-15 "But we see Jesus, ...Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
Another secondary cause could be mental illness…
Of course, the events we have read about in the news could be the result of mental illness on the part of the attacker. Because we live in a fallen world, we are faced with sicknesses. Not only physical, but mental illness exists due to sin affecting our lives.
If mental illness is to blame for these events, we should remind ourselves that Christ is the great Physician who can heal us of our spiritual, physical and mental sicknesses that we face… “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. “ (Luke 5:31-32)
Whatever the secondary cause may be, whether spiritual or physical in nature, the Lord Jesus Christ is the One that can heal the sickness and bring about health and well being to those who are suffering such great ills.
Perhaps the abuse of drugs played a secondary role in these crimes…
The Lord has warned His people from abusing their bodies with harmful substances:
First, our bodies are His possession and, as such we are to care for them (1 Cor 3:16-17, 1 Cor 6:19-20) Secondly, we are to always remain alert and under control (2 Tim 4:5, 1 Pet 1:13, 4:7, 5:8) Thirdly, our Lord is to be the ONLY One that controls our life (Matt 6:24, Luke 16:13)
If drugs are playing a part in these events, it should be a reminder to us of the need to live lives dedicated to the use, control and glory of God….”Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:12-14)
My final thought is that the influence of the entertainment of this world may have played a secondary role as well.
The Lord has told us that worldly influences can be extremely harmful in the lives of His people. (1 Cor 15:33, Prov 13:20, Prov 9:6). This is why we are told to abstain from the influences of this world (Roms 12:1-2).
I am not saying that just because a person watches a television show about Zombies that they will then go out and commit cannibalism. However, I do believe that this influence, in conjunction with some of the above causes (demonic influence, drug abuse, or mental illness), could cause someone to commit such perverted actions. When it comes to these types of entertainment it is far better to abstain from their influences in our lives. This is why the Lord tells us to not even speak of such things… “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them]. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” (Eph 5:11-12)
Summary...
When it comes to the news reports of “Zombie” activity, I prefer to “call them what they are”… they are acts of cannibalism that takes place because of the sinful nature of fallen mankind, with some secondary causes bringing about these heinous, sinful perverted acts. They cry aloud of the world’s need of forgiveness and its inability to please God when left to its own devices.
Conclusion of our study…
If there was ever a time to stop and reflect on the true condition of our hearts, it is now. With these wicked events taking place, in conjunction with the current trend of rejection of the message of Christianity, we are brought face to face with our need of the Lord Jesus Christ for every aspect of our lives. We have to be honest with ourselves and realize that, apart from God’s grace, we could easily be the ones that are committing such wicked acts as these. These acts are displays of the wickedness that inhabits every fallen man’s being. This is how corrupt, twisted and perverse every one of us would be without Christ's restraining influence. Oh, how we need His salvation that He extends to His people! How important it is for us to receive a gracious act of God that saves us from the penalty, power and eventually, in eternity, the very presence of sin.
If we search our hearts and see that we are truly one of His people, we need to fall to our knees and ask the Lord to intervene in our lives and give to us the needed grace to continue to serve Him in the midst of this fallen world. Great is the need of those around us. If we are to minister to them, we must be empowered by Almighty God.
If, after we examine our hearts, we see that we are in need of His gracious salvation… now is the time to come to the Lord for forgiveness, security, and peace in the midst of a troubled, sin-sick world. Come to Christ in a spirit of submission, understanding that you cannot in any way gain forgiveness of your own merit. Come to Christ with sorrow in your heart, seeing your sinful condition and turning from your acts of sin that were in rebellion against Him. Come to Christ by faith, trusting in Him to do the work necessary to gain the forgiveness of your sins and to be Lord of our life.
May the Lord bless you as you seek His truth.
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