Atlas Shrugged, the Movie, and Reality
Altas Shrugged
A few days ago, I saw a discussion of the new movie, Atlas Shrugged, Part 1, on a news program. Atlas Shrugged, Part 1 is a movie based upon an old book by Ayn Rand with that title. Although I have read three or so books from her, I never actually read Atlas Shrugged. But I knew about it as someone I knew (a roommate) had to read and report on it in college many years ago–it is a very long book and he told me bits and pieces about it for many weeks.
My roommate was interested in what the book taught, which, if I understood him correctly, was that the book essentially tries to show that the alliance between large corporations, big unions, and an excessively controlling government is inefficient and survives only because productive people allow it to. In the book, apparently, someone goes to many of the carnally most “productive people” and gets them to leave mainstream society and support a freer, more independent, society. Apparently, by leaving the mainstream, they have shrugged off the world/atlas, hence the title. My old roommate told me that because the productive were leaving, that the book showed that the government and its accomplices were trying to track them down as society was breaking down without the carnally productive being part of it. If I recall correctly, there are “productive people” who keep believing in the system that take longer to persuade, according to the book. Reviewers indicate that the movie itself displays certain Hollywood morals in the area of adultery.
Without going into the specifics of the impact of the economically more productive, the reality is that the Bible tells of a time that the most faithful (many of the most spiritually productive) will depart from mainstream society. In a sense, this will be the real “atlas shrugged”. It will be a terrible time for the earth, spiritually (though many will prosper at first physically, though it will also end in disaster, cf. Revelation 18).
The Bible shows that after experiencing persecution (Revelation 12:13), these faithful Christians end up being protected in a wilderness for 3 1/2 years .
Who is protected?
These people are remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God (Revelation 3:7) and promised physical and spiritual protection from the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10) that will affect the whole world. The non-Philadelphia Christians (apparently those with traits more like Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea) do not receive the same protection, and thus will have to endure the Great Tribulation and the wrath of Satan (Revelation 12:17). A 3 1/2 separation will happen.
As there will be an “atlas shrugged” spiritually, this may be a good time to decide where you wish to be. According to Zephaniah, the decision needs to be made early and not put off until too late:
1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together,
O undesirable nation,
2 Before the decree is issued,
Or the day passes like chaff,
Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you,
Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you!
3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth,
Who have upheld His justice.
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
It may be that you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:1-3)
So waiting until it is time to be protected, hidden if you will, is not really a good option as it seems to need to be done well before the time to go to the wilderness is obvious to more. Scripture says to be ready prior to the time to flee.
What will you do? Will you wait too long or will you become part of God’s “atlas shrugged” plan?
For more details on several of the subjects in the commentary, please check out the following articles:
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory.
Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected? What does the Bible really teach? Who really is left behind?
Should the Church Still Try to Place its Top Priority on Proclaiming the Gospel or Did Herbert W. Armstrong Change that Priority for the Work? Some say the Church should mainly feed the flock now as that is what Herbert W. Armstrong reportedly said. Is that what he said? Is that what the Bible says? What did Paul and Herbert W. Armstrong expect from evangelists?
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer.
Do You Believe God Used Herbert W. Armstrong to Raise Up the Philadelphia Era of the Church of God? Nearly everyone while in WCG used to believe this, most do not seem to anymore.
Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, and Roderick C. Meredith on Church Government What form of governance did the early church have? Was it hierarchical? Which form of governance would one expect to have in the Philadelphia remnant? The people decide and/or committee forms, odd dictatorships, or the same type that the Philadelphia era itself had?
What is a True Philadelphian? Many claim to be part of the Philadelphia era of the Church, but is claiming enough? This article has biblical and historical evidence about who really are the Philadelphians.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2011, 2012, or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Old Testament Church Eras Are there seven church eras in the Old Testament? Do they parallel those in Revelation 2 &3?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present: information on all of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3.
The Thyatira Church Era was predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1600 A.D. The Church during the Inquisition.
The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, and COG-7th Day.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now basically the Living Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. These are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG.
There are Many COGs: Why Support the Living Church of God? This is an article for those who wish to more easily sort out the different COGs. It really should be a MUST READ for current and former WCG/GCI members or any interested in supporting the faithful church. It also explains a lot of what the COGs are all about.
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