The Future of Captain America

I recently saw the latest addition to the Marvel Comics film repertoire, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” I admit I am a fiction/sci-fi geek, and the story lines and special effects of these movies grab my attention! This latest installment really packs a lot of storyline and action into it. What a ride! But while I was watching the plot develop a very interesting thing happened; something I’m sure the producers never intended. The future of Capt. America has some scenes which have a Biblical base to them! There are many such things to consider in the movie, but there were 3 particular moments which really stood out, and which I want to address here. Look at these particular instances and you can judge for yourself;

The first thing that caught my attention was when Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) speaks with Captain America, explaining the plans that SHIELD has for using advanced weaponry to combat evil. They can now identify – and eliminate! – any early threats (meaning people) before they can become troublesome. The problem is that Captain America (played by Chris Evans) sees what’s coming – the potential for abuse. The good Captain tries to point out how un-American it is to convict someone without a fair trial, much less before they have even done anything wrong. CA believes that these folks should be given access to legal process and not arbitrary sentencing, to which Nick replies;

“We can’t afford to wait for a legal process.”

Nick tries to ‘explain’ to CA that this new weaponry will usher in peace, but CA will have none of it. Although they banter back and forth, it becomes clear that neither one will give up their position. In frustration, CA tells Nick;

“This is peace through holding a gun to everybody’s head. This is not peace, but fear.”

Since the 9/11 attacks there has been a lot of legislation passed, with ‘national safety’ the end goal. The Patriot Act was one of the first things to be enacted, which started a whole slew of like-minded laws and actions by people in the government. This train of thought led to the recent controversies regarding the activities of the NSA and other American investigative organizations, including near-illegal activities and the use of intimidation tactics. I can’t help but draw some parallels between these activities and those of SHIELD which were portrayed in the movie.

The second thing that I noticed was the continuation of “The Council” theme of world leaders, which was brought out at the end of the first Avengers movie. This is a small group of regional world managers who are responsible for the people under their ‘jurisdiction,’ and are also in control of SHIELD. The rationale used for this style of ‘world leadership’ is to help promote world peace, financial prosperity and security. Trouble is, they don’t seem to be accountable to anyone other than themselves. This is particularly disturbing, as it (roughly) falls in line with what the Bible states will happen in the not-to-distant future;

Rev 17:12-14

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.”

The pretense they use is peace and safety, but the reality is far different than what they claim. A serious student of Biblical prophecy should note that Mankind – in and of ourselves – is incapable of governing the world the way God would have it. Presenting these concepts in such an ‘innocent’ way makes it seem reasonable to submit yourself to ‘those in charge,’ displacing God as the source of right and wrong. The world, by refusing to know God through Christ, will see this as the best way to assure ‘peace, prosperity and safety.’

The third thing I noticed was the charismatic Secretary Alexander Pierce (played by Robert Redford). This man seems to be pragmatic and practical, a no-nonsense realist and a somewhat likeable guy. But again, things are not as they seem! He is, in actuality, the leader of the once-thought-destroyed HYDRA, an evil organization from the first CA movie. What was particularly interesting to me was the conversation he had with CA earlier in the movie. He was talking about how and why he had become the director of “The Council,” and what it implied. He said that the old way of doing things was not good enough, and that change was coming in the world. That change, however, would not necessarily be a peaceful change;

“To build a better world we have to tear the old one down.”

He anticipated making ‘enemies’ and was ready to deal with them (all in the name of ‘safety’), hence the new weaponry. While the movie offers the fictional character of Pierce, the nature and motivation of the very real next world leader (the anti-Christ) will not be much different. He will offer peace and prosperity, but his ultimate desire (just as Pierce’s) is control;

Rev 13:16-17

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This is how the anti-Christ – and those associated with him – will ‘sell’ themselves to the people of the world. They offer peace and safety, but it comes with a heavy price! By rejecting the Lordship of Christ, those in the world seal their fate;

1 Thess 5:3-4

For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.

It is a fascinating thing to watch, following the themes of movies like this and how they prepare people to accept the concept of a universal ‘savior’ for the world’s problems – all the while rejecting the One true Savior!

I’m making it a sort of psychological study, examining the concepts being portrayed through current media (like these movies) and comparing them with Scripture. It’s fascinating all right, and could very well show us some shadows of a rapidly approaching future. Is that possible? Time will tell…

Image retrieved from:

http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/09/25/captain-america-the-winter-soldier-one-of-marvel-s-best-2298347?lt_source=external,manual