THE FALL OF ICARUS

12/3/17

The Greek myth of Icarus and his fall, should remind us of the dangers of pride. For we know from scripture that pride will bring us down, but that grace is given to the humble.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16

The story has it that Daedalus and his son had been imprisoned by King Minos in Crete in a chamber that had been invented by the father’s own invention, which was an elaborate labyrinth. But he realized that the only way out of their demise was to fly away. So the father fashioned a pair of wings for both him and his son. Feathers were attached to a wooden frame with wax. But the father cautioned his son Icarus to be careful in flying too high. For if he approached nearer to the sun, the feathers would melt and he would surely fall to the ground and die.

As we know from the story, Icarus flew higher and higher into the sky, and at last was much too close to the sun’s heat, and he fell tumbling into the sea below and died. This story of course is a myth from Greek legends, and yet it has relevance today for those who in their great pride and arrogance think that they are infallible and cannot be brought down.

God has a way of humbling us, and in time, our actions will be found out. This is true in all walks of life, whether it be in government, ministry, or anyone. Below documents the humbling of the Apostle Paul as the Lord Himself sought to keep a check on his pride, as his lofty revelations and knowledge would have caused him to think too highly of himself.

Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. 2 Cor. 12

The attempt of flying higher and higher into the atmosphere as Icarus had done, is also an analogy of rising higher and higher in our pride and arrogance. One can eventually reach such a height of pride that they will be scorched by the “Son’s” rays.

8/3/16

"Oh you that have been high and mighty, know that I will bring you down, says the Lord. Oh you, that in your pride and arrogance think that you are the answer to the world's woes, your time has come.

But your time has not come to be seated on your great throne. Your velvet tapestries, your gold, and your luxurious things, will be your demise. And then what will you do? Will you go to your high tower and sulk?

I tell you that a great upset is coming. I tell you that a great turn around is coming. The committees will meet, and a decision will be made. A show down is coming, and emotions will run high. "

3/13/16
(A portion of a word.)

“Pride goeth before a fall. The peacock will fall on that day. The splendor and his arrogance will bring about his ruin.

You have been led down a road and listened to a message from a piper who has played a tune that has led many of you astray.”

Sept. 1, 2007

(A portion of a word.)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. 18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:17-19

(The spirit of the Lord showed me a picture of a peacock. It was spreading its wings and seemed to be very proud of itself. It turned from side-to-side so that one could see its plumage. Then as it continued to turn, it changed, and what was a beautiful looking peacock now had turned into a vulture which was very ugly in appearance.)

Stephen Hanson