The Twilight of the Twilight Series

By Lane Palmer of Dare 2 Share

Twi-Hards unite again!  The first part of the final film has hit the screen, and theaters everywhere are being sold out as the stage is set for the conclusion of this blockbuster series.

Unless, of course, the producers would like to keep chopping up the final final part into more and more parts.  In which case you would have Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 ½ , then Breaking Dawn Part 2, then 2.1, etc. But of course the problem there is the possibility of RPatz hitting puberty and subsequently losing the man/boy looks that have earned him the status of pre-pubescent poster child of the decade - right?

Also Jacob the performance enhanced werewolf could lose the abs and then be required to wear a shirt even when it’s raining!  And *man* would he be angry - so we’d see a blank stare from him.  Then later on he would be in love - so we’d see a blank stare from him.

But for now, we know that that Ed and Bella get hitched, furniture gets broken, half-vampire buns are in the oven - and the rest of the film could only be described as the Twilight series letting the crazy out.

Yep, love bites.

Still I must admit that stories about vampires, werewolves and women who breathe loudly through their noses have a certain appeal.  We all have a craving for drama, especially when supernatural elements are involved.

Speaking of which, I have a real account of a supernatural showdown that you probably never heard about:

Jesus and his followers went to the other side of the lake to the area of the Gerasenepeople.  When Jesus got out of the boat, instantly a man with an evil spirit came to him from the burial caves. This man lived in the caves, and no one could tie him up, not even with a chain.

Many times people had used chains to tie the man's hands and feet, but he always broke them off. No one was strong enough to control him. Day and night he would wander around the burial caves and on the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones. While Jesus was still far away, the man saw him, ran to him, and fell down before him.

 The man shouted in a loud voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?

Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

He answered, "My name is Legion,because we are many spirits." He begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of that area.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on a hill near there. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us into the pigs; let us go into them."So Jesus allowed them to do this. The evil spirits left the man and went into the pigs. Then the herd of pigs—about two thousand of them—rushed down the hill into the lake and were drowned. (Mark 5:1-7; 9-17)

This is one of the strangest moments in the Bible and one of the clearest throwdowns between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan.  Jesus went to this 10 city area to share the gospel, but the devil had a different plan.  So he sent a man possessed with literally thousands of demons to face off with Christ.

But even a million demons combining their forces doesn’t even hold a candle to the infinity watt power of our Almighty God.  With scarcely a thought, Jesus banished the demonic army into a herd of pigs, and then the nearest water source was renamed “Pork Lake.”

Now I’ve never met a Cullen or a wolfboy, but for years Satan sent his minions to keep me from meeting Jesus.  But on a picturesque summer day between my freshman and sophomore year in the Rocky Mountains, my Savior expelled the forces of darkness that would have kept me from finding salvation and I trusted in Jesus as my only hope of salvation.

You might say that defining moment was the breaking dawn of God’s love in my life!

And are you curious as to what happened to the guy who Jesus liberated from the demonic oppression?  Check this out:

As Jesus was getting back into the boat, the man who was freed from the demons begged to go with him.

 Jesus would not let him. He said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you."

So the man left and began to tell the people in the Ten Townsabout what Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.(Mark 5:18-20)

You see, there’s just something supernatural that happens when we know we’ve been forgiven and granted eternal life in heaven.  The immortality we’ve been granted through faith in Christ should cause us to make THE Cause the driving force behind everything we do.

So enjoy the 2+ hours of Twilight fantasy, but don’t forget about the reality that there is a battle for your soul and the eternal destinies of your friends!

Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action

The Twilight series and other supernatural books/movies have definitely caused  a resurgence in interest in terms of spirituality.  This is a great opportunity to ask our friends about their spiritual beliefs, and then pray for God to create space in the conversation about the incredible offer of immortality from Jesus.

Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause

Pray: Jesus, thank you for coming to earth and showing us that you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Thank for defeating the power of the enemy and calling me into salvation.  Help me to shine for you in this dark world and lead the charge of THE Cause in my world.

Read:Romans 16:20. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Get:  Battle Zone. Satan is a powerful and ruthless enemy. How do you stand against his attacks?  Pick up a copy of Battle Zaneand learn how to use the armor your Supreme Commander has provided.