The Weight of Darkness
“The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness.” (Revelation 16:10a)
It’s been a heavy past couple of weeks. Everyone feels it, regardless of thoughts and opinions. Honestly, the weight of society has been increasing over the last several years, as if gravity is pushing down on us more intensely with each passing day.
This is the promise of evil. You may have never stopped and contemplated such thoughts before, but it’s time you allow your mind to settle on the consequences of sin. Intellectually, if you have been a follower of Christ for any moment of time at all, you are fully aware the “wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)
However, has this truth been examined and fleshed out? Have you allowed yourself to dig deeper into what that fully means and why, gaining such an understanding, is even important? Too often we can gloss over familiar truths within the scriptures, without applying the appropriate amount of brain calories, to determine and understand completely, the implications of such a verse for our lives and those we love.
Ukrainian refugee murdered on rail car- August 22, 2025
Satan and his demons have perfected the art of the “slow fade”. The proverbial frog in the pot of water, if you will. If you are unfamiliar with that old, parable or you have forgotten, let me give you the cliff notes version.
The story goes of a frog who is placed in a pot with lovely, cool water. As he settles in, nice and comfy, the master of the pot, lights a small fire beneath, to gradually increase the temperature of the water. The change in water temperature is so slow, the frog pays not attention to the soaring thermometer. Ultimately, the frog dies, as he is boiled alive, completely oblivious to the danger he was sitting in.
Society has become like that frog, blissfully unaware the degrees keep rising, as we go about our merry ways. Actually, civilizations have been duped into climbing in the pot since the Garden of Eden, but I feel what we are witnessing currently, will either catapult us into revival or send us home to glory with the shout of the last trumpet. History has cycled as such for centuries. When the weight of darkness becomes too much within the world, there is always a break and we witness a cleansing flood of restoration back to holiness and repentance of heart within mankind.
You can track the great revivals throughout the ages, taking note of the deep, depravity of humanity which preceded a return to Christ Jesus and His precepts. There is coming a time; however, when there will not only be a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit drawing many to repentance, but also a calling up of the saints to glory, as the final days will come to an end. So what will the cycle we are living in currently bring? Only God the Father knows, but we do not have to be ignorant of such events either.
School shooting in Minnesota-August 27, 2025
I believe, not only can we see our days growing increasingly dark, but we can feel it as well. Darkness has weight to it. It is palpable and solid, a mass we must not ignore. The pressure is increasing in slow, consistent increments, with a desire to crush everything beneath the tonnage. I sense we have already reached the point in which it is becoming harder to breathe from the heaviness, as we witness the events raging around us. Too often, I will watch the news and feel a tightness in my chest. The breaking point, surely, draws near. For the believer, we have a refuge from the pressure, others are not so fortunate.
Evil does not feel. It has zero empathy or compassion. There is no thoughtful consideration of anyone or anything other than itself. It is a selfish, life-sucking, heartless entity, that thrives on the misery of others. This is what rules our current globe.
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 2:1-2)
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
We, as individuals, love the thought of being in total control of all things, at all times. There are unseen forces; however, that move among us, influencing many weak, minded persons. I do not cast that label out as an insult, but a wake up call. I too, was a simpleton, prior to surrendering my life under the authority and power of Jesus Christ.
When I walked in the flesh, sin ruled over my thoughts and actions, which resulted in a life of chaos and destruction; not only for myself, but also many loved ones around me. My life lacked peace and the burden I was under, sat like an anvil on my chest. The oddity of my situation was compounded by the fact, I truly believed I was having a great time- until I wasn’t.
Satan and his demons rule the masses with parlor tricks, sleight of hand and smoke and mirrors. Up is down. Left is right. All things right, suddenly are wrong. This creates a hazy film over the person’s mind, blinding them to the Truth. I fully remember the day, scales fell off my eyes. I had surrendered my life to the Lord and began digging into the scriptures, studying and devouring each book. The more I read, the more clearly I was able to see.
I still remember the exact location I was, when I came to the realization that Jesus wants a relationship, not religion. This simple, yet powerful truth, awakened the deep parts of my soul I believed were dead and buried. I was being regenerated back to life, by the power of God’s Word. In that moment, darkness lost its final grip on me. I felt weightless!
Sin’s desire is to entangle, twist and ultimately bind a person, holding them hostage. Its claws are lengthy and sharp, tearing flesh as it clamps down, wishing never to let go. But remember our frog friend? The prison isn’t built in a day. Brick by brick, slow progress is made, so as not to alarm the victim. Too many drinks here. Slide into bed with this person over there. Wasn’t that a kickin’ party? Tiny, harmless, little lies slip through smiling lips. Pocket that extra money, which really belongs to the company- who will know?
Inch by inch, until you wake up one day and sweat is pouring down your face from the pressure bearing down on you. How did I get here? Fear rises. Anxiety suffocates. You long to run away, but the chain attached to your ankle is too short. This present darkness is closing in, and unless something miraculous happens, it will claim your last breath.
School shooting in Colorado- September 10, 2025
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
When Jesus went to the cross, shed His blood, died and then rose from the grave after three days, the full weight of sin was forever shattered. He took every last pound upon Himself, until it squeezed the last breath out of Him- because of His sacrifice, the air in our lungs can flow freely, when we accept his offer of salvation.
As the world continues to succumb to the influence of the serpent, we as Christ followers do not have to deal with the enormous pressure being placed on the masses. Jesus already removed that burden from us forever. Our focus now, is to remain diligent, so as not to become enslaved and entangled again.
You know the feeling of walking through a large spider web? You immediately begin swatting and brushing it off, not because it’s heavy, but because it feels weird wrapped around you. This is how we should feel when we come to salvation. We can feel the cobwebs of this earth trying to wrap around us. It feels weird and icky, but we can easily remove them and continue on, because of the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us.
We accomplish this by quick repentance of sin, staying connected to The Vine through study of the Word and prayer and being involved in a local, bible believing, God fearing church who will be a support as you journey through the dark places of this life.
I pray, as we feel the weight of darkness increase and the spider webs growing more sticky and numerous, we will become all the more bold in proclaiming the truth of the gospel and telling others how they can relieve their burdens. Wake up Church!
There are innumerable amounts of people who are being crushed beneath the weight of their sin, many who are barely able to breathe. Others who are so overwhelmed, confused and lost, they make choices which bring destruction to families, communities, cities and even the nation.
Pray for revival.
Pray for a fresh fire within your own life.
Pray for opportunities to share the love of God.
And pray the cycle we find ourselves in- becomes the beginning of destroying the plans of the enemy, removing the weight of darkness and setting free the captives.
Assassinated- September 10, 2025