“The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born.” -Revelation 12:4 NIV
A lot of thoughts and emotions have gone through me since New York passed a bill allowing for abortions up to the due date of a baby if the mother’s health is at risk. In this blog article, I would like to share a few things that present a perspective on abortion slightly different than what others may be writing about in one major way.
First however, let me just say that for as bad as abortions are in the US; we are not unique. In fact, many countries of the world are far worse when it comes to abortion than the US. This is not a US only problem; this is a global problem.
Secondly, while for years this has been viewed as a “political” or “culture war” issue, I take issue with that. This is debated politically, but this is something beyond politics even though politics of course impacts this issue greatly. I prefer to view this as a leadership issue (reflecting a cultural issue) as well as a human rights issue affecting the absolute most vulnerable people of all: the unborn child.
But it’s more than that…
I could spend this article trying to logically, scientifically, philosophically and Scripturally make the case for life and against abortion. But I believe at this point, the majority of those who promote abortion are willfully choosing to ignore true science, reason, Scripture and evidence for the humanity of a child in the womb. So while I think true science, Scripture, reason and evidence is on the side of those promoting life, I think there is more at play than reason and evidence alone can convince.
That leads to this perspective that may be slightly different than what others are focusing on. While I believe everything should be done to champion life for the unborn and laws should be passed to ban abortion, it is not going to solve the issue. Even if there were strict abortion laws, people would find a way, because the problem goes deeper than laws; it’s a problem of the heart. And on top of this, it is a problem of real demonic evil.
Consider the passage above quoted from the book of Revelation. This is a description of a realm at work behind the visible that we see on a human level. We can read in the Gospel of Matthew for example, of King Herod’s murder of children in his attempt to kill Jesus after his birth being threatened that he was “born king of the Jews.” However, here in Revelation, we see that Satan was the inspiration behind Herod’s murderous slaughter of the most vulnerable. Here the visible and invisible meet together.
The only difference then and today is that babies can now be murdered in the womb before being born not just after being born.
There is something very real, demonic and evil behind abortion. Humans carry it out but Satan himself inspires or deceives people to carry it out, celebrate it and justify it. There is no other way to spin it or explain it. It defies reason, science, Scripture, life, and evidence.
Before I go further, let me offer the grace of the Gospel at this point. Although this in no way justifies those who have abortions, I also have seen or heard the weight of guilt many struggle with after having an abortion. And there are many reasons that we can at least understand why women may consider abortion due to vulnerable circumstances.
There is forgiveness for those who repent and confess their sin. Jesus specializes in redemption and is full of mercy and grace for those who come to him in brokenness.
But when abortion is celebrated, something evil is truly at work. When the most vulnerable are not safe and this is perceived as a good thing, it is a sad day and indication of human depravity. It is further evidence that this is something beyond politics; but a spiritual battle. It is the manifestation of the destructive work of Satan himself, the thief, who as Jesus warned us, comes to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10).
In the prophetic books of the Hebrew Scripture, we find children being offered as sacrifices to other gods. We find the prophets lamenting and crying out about this evil and injustice. And all through history, to this current day, different regimes and leaders have ordered or passed laws justifying the slaughter of children.
Behind this all is the true enemy of humanity: Satan himself. He is against life. And He is doing all he can to destroy life.
This is nothing new. From the beginning, Satan has been at work to destroy especially the most vulnerable, for this touches the heart of God most deeply. In the beginning of the book of Exodus, Pharaoh tried to prevent Hebrew male children from being born, and decreed that they should all be aborted (in that case drowned in the Nile river after birth). It was in this context that Moses was born, survived and went on to deliver his people from slavery in Egypt and lead them to freedom.
Imagine how different history would be had he not been born!
The same is true of Jesus. If anyone was born in more vulnerable circumstances it was him. If you put yourself in Mary’s shoes, she had all the justification to abort him had this happened today. There was the “shame” factor (by appearances it looked like he was born out of wedlock). There was the “economic insecurity” factor (they were not wealthy, where would they find resources to provide for him?). There was the “inconvenience” factor (His birth would drastically alter their future). There was even the “suffering” factor (Mary was told that his life would be a blessing, but also bring great sorrow to her heart as she would watch him suffer an agonizing death in the most brutal of ways).
Yet, despite all this, Mary choose life and choose to submit her life to God’s plan for her. Imagine if Jesus had been aborted!
Jesus is all about life. He has come that we might find eternal life through faith in him. He has come to heal our broken hearts and world. He has come to redeem and restore. He has come to save and deliver. He has come to forgive and reconcile us to relationship with God. He has come to give us “new life” and a new heart. He has come that we might be “born again” and find life that is truly life.
This new level of evil and celebration of murder is another reminder of our depravity and need for a true Savior. But it is also a frightening reminder that without repentance there will be only future judgment and justice when Jesus returns.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” -Isaiah 5:20 NIV
Ben Foley 