This past week, almost seventy years ago, on April 30, 1945, Adolph Hitler went into his bunker, poisoned himself, his dogs, and his mistress, Eva Braun, and then shot himself, ending the idea of a 1,000 year Reich and his “superior” race. He was a sociopath, a true megalomaniac; he had absolutely no remorse or feelings for the millions of lives he destroyed.
Thankfully, there were those who were willing to go to their deaths, fighting against his tyranny and genocidal conquest. They were called the greatest generation, and they deserve recognition for their service and their sacrifice. And, thanks to a program that has really “taken off” over the last several years, these veterans are getting honored in a way that many never expected.
You see, as I post this article, five WWII and Korean War veterans are headed from our Rock Hill, SC area to Washington, DC. They will experience the great joy of taking an “honor flight.” The Honor Flight program honors veterans and thanks them for their service by bringing them to visit the memorials that were built for them and their fellow veterans.
As the web page for the Honor Flight states, “Of all of the wars in recent memory, it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation—and as a culturally diverse, free society.” With approximately 640 WWII veterans passing away each day, there is not much time left to honor these brave veterans who were a part of the “greatest generation.”
I wonder if their example speaks to the church today. As we fight against the original megalomaniac, Satan, will we look to their example? Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” In other words, our fight is a spiritual one, against an enemy who will never quit or commit suicide. It is a war against sin.
Will there be some among this generation who face the challenge to fight Satan and the power of sin? Will this be a “great generation” of those who are worthy to receive a crown of righteousness? And, if we remain faithful; if we “fight the good fight;” if we rise to the challenge of the spiritual fight…then what? A spiritual “honor flight” waits for us too!
Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4: 17, “Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” What a glorious day that will be. Reject Satan and his works; trust in Jesus and His righteousness; and remain faithful in the fight against sin, even unto death. Will you be on that flight? Will the Son of Man find faith in this generation? I pray we will be up to the challenge.