Comments on Revelation, Chapter 10:

The Little Scroll and the Lion

The vision of a roaring lion and a little scroll is a familiar picture in cinemas throughout the world. Chapter 10 can thus be understood as a prediction about modern media in general. In the words of the prophet (verse 9)

they turn your stomach sour, but
in your mouth they are sweet as honey

• Teenagers and little children watch dozens of murders every week on TV and many of them perform dozens every day on computer screens. This promotes ruthless thinking and violent behaviour. The messages that money, fun and sex is what life is all about, that violence is fun and that the goodies always win in our society are crammed into our minds ever since we are toddlers. This may be good for the people who own the media to make money, but it also destroys the moral foundation of the present political, social and economic system. Shooting sprees in American schools are the tip of an enormous iceberg to show us the absolute depravity of our culture.

• Another destructive effect of the media is their power to manipulate opinions, elections and determine the political power structure of so-called "democratic" countries for the benefit of a small minority of people who own or influence newspapers and TV-channels. This situation has changed elections from an instrument for the people to exercise power into a mechanism which only lets corrupt liars get to the top.

• The media also distract many people's attention from their problems and the issues that really matter and pollute their brains with gossip and shallow entertainment.

In short: To make money and keep corrupt leaders in power, the media systematically spread madness among the people. This brings short-term profit to people who run this system and enjoyment to their customers. However it also creates problems which cannot be solved such as violence, perverted thinking and downright stupidity. In the long run the damage and destruction caused by this mechanism will become overwhelming, another crucial nail in the coffin of our civilization. Without noticing people who proudly run this system accomplish "God's secret plan" to bring our civilization to an end.