The Stand by Stephen King initially was released as a novel in 1978. The movie was then introduced as a mini-series on ABC in 1994 after a longer second version was completed. One of the telling scenes in this drama occurs during a conversation between Harold Lauder and Nadine Cross. After each exercise free will to follow Flagg, the character symbolic of the devil, each come to the realization, “we’re damned.”
These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them, 2 Peter 2:17.
At the end of chapter 2, Peter uses an interesting analogy. I think the point of his words refers to God’s creations which are meant to serve a specific purpose. Sometimes due to extreme or rare conditions, nature does not provide what it was designed for. Thus, springs can dry up and mists can hide a powerful storm. Likewise, whenever someone chooses to be a vessel of devil, a reservation with darkness is secured.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies, John 8:44.
I’ve heard various projections of what heaven and hell will be like in sermons over the last 30 years. One of the common threads of these messages is that you will be surprised by who is in heaven and who is not. During a confrontation with religious leaders, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their hypocrisy. Sometimes even people you look up to can let you down, falling from grace. Yet, in the end, be careful that you are not just following a legalistic set of rules. Rather, may the words of the Bible transform your heart, soul and mind to become disciples of Jesus Christ.
by Jay Mankus
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