What do you most associate red with? As I pondered that question myself, the spiritual side of me thought of blood, while my worldly side came up with the song Red Rain by Peter Gabriel. What did he write that about? You can check it out here Red Rain by Peter Gabriel – Songfacts. The song’s story varies slightly on different websites but stays consistent with Mr. Gabriel’s dream depicting either blood and/or wine. The lyrics of the song are haunting Lyrics for Red Rain by Peter Gabriel – Songfacts and remind me of war.
So very apropos for past, present, and future times. Presently, the war in Ukraine still rages, and China’s threats against Taiwan are loud. As I am writing this, a Monsoon storm is making its way through Lake Havasu. Maybe these factors helped to bring that song to my mind.
Recently, I met an older gal who shared with me that she had returned to faith in Jesus a couple of years ago. She impressed me with her concern for her grandson’s salvation. She told me that the biggest things worrying his eleven-year-old mind were when he could get to gaming next and all the talk of World War III – a real war, not the streaming game.
History has never been my strong suit but studying the Bible has piqued my interest greatly. Old Testament scripture draws me in to another time. A time of raw nomadic living and dying – and there was much bloodshed in ancient times, and war. There is war in history, war in present times, and the threat and promise of war in future times (Matt. 24:6-7; Rev. 19:11-21).
So, currently it seems, I associate red most with images of war, blood, and death, as many people tend to do The Color Psychology of Red (verywellmind.com). Sounds cold and bleak for such a beautiful color. I wonder if more people today would associate red more with Jesus or Santa Clause?
While out running an errand a couple of weeks ago, I met a man who gave me a nod of the head as if he had recognized me.
“Who’s the Marine, you, or your husband?” He asked because of an emblem he saw on my car.
“Me,” I responded. We shook hands as if we were old friends. He struck up a conversation about current events and shared about his time in the Army and serving overseas. He was knowledgeable and gave me his insights about what he felt was to come. As he went on, his ideas began to go a little sideways from my own understanding, but I heard him out.
Then he said something about “when the tsunamis hit, it will really get crazy.”
After he mentioned them a couple of more times, I had to politely interrupt.
“I’m sorry, what makes you think of tsunamis?” I asked.
“Well, I had a dream,” he shyly shared while keeping an eye on my reaction.
“I’m following,” I urged him on.
“In my dream I saw tsunamis hit in several separate locations around the world. I think there will be attacks that hit probably from Russia and China, and I think explosions from those attacks are going to set off the tsunamis.”
The concept was not lost on me, as I had heard something similar before from Pastor Perry Stone on his show Manna-fest. You can check him out here speaking about his own tsunami dream (32) Prepare For a Coming Coastal Tsunami!! | Perry Stone – YouTube.
“May I ask, are you a Christian?” I said as the man took a pause.
“Well,” he tipped his head coyly, “I believe a little differently.”
I waited for him to continue.
“I believe in a blood covenant that …” and then his voice trailed off, and he began mumbling as he dug through his painting supplies.
“Well, do you understand that Jesus is our blood covenant?” I asked after a few uncomfortable seconds ticked by.
“I see it like this…,” he rambled on, and he started to lose my attention as he began referencing something from The Hobbit.
“It was nice meeting you,” I said as I opened my car door and waved good-bye.
“You too,” he responded. “Watch for those movers and shakers that I told you about.”
“I will. Thank you,” I returned and then stopped and added, “Hey, please check out the Book of Revelation in the Bible. God may have been showing you more than you realize. Put your faith in His covenant.”
He just smiled and waved good-bye.
As I drove off, I said a prayer for my fellow Veteran. As I chatted with the Lord, I wondered how many others were out there who would rather put their faith in book and movie characters, or anything else, instead of the true authentic God? After all, I had done it – for several decades. How it must anger God to watch any one of us humans look to false idols. I saw red for God in that moment, and then He impressed upon me that He has clearly warned us.
I’ve never read Mr. Tolkien’s books, nor seen any of The Hobbit movies so I checked out a review here Book Review – The Christian World of the Hobbit | SHARPER IRON, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that Mr. Tolkien was a Christian. Discovering that has piqued my interest in checking out some of his writings. I have, however, read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, and greatly enjoyed it, as well as the biblical and spiritual symbolism throughout the story. A good fantasy is an amazing escape, but the story and its characters should never have our faith in them – or anything else for that matter (Exodus 20:2-6; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
The Lord’s loving warnings are throughout Scripture (Ezek. 3:17-19; Prov. 16:18; Amos 3:7; Matt. 10:28; Gal. 5:21 – to cite just a few). He warns us because he loves us (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10; 1 John 1:31). That is the warm beautiful side of the many facets of red – love.
Why is red the color of love? A great article can be found here Why is Red is the Colour of Love? – A ‘The Green Rooms’ Analysis –.
There is another biblical character who may often be associated with red, but I do not feel liking giving him any notoriety. I have a picture in my head that when it is finally his time to go down – pun intended – (Rev. 20:10, 14) that we will see a sunrise coming up like this.
“From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God! God is higher than anything and anyone, outshining everything you can see in the skies. Who can compare with God, our God, so majestically enthroned, Surveying his magnificent heavens and earth?”
Psalm 113:3-6, The Message Bible
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