“And I looked, and beheld a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” Rev. 6:8.
The hooded rider and torch bearer who led the procession ashore from the Seine River at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics rode a pale horse. Given the events leading up to this equestrian saunter, it is apparent that the color horse selected for the initiation of the Olympics was not accidental. The symbolism followed a string of satanic rituals culminating in a grotesque parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” mural of Jesus and his apostles composed of drag queens who struck poses behind a long table astride a crowned transgender goddess.
The Lord’s Supper, as described in Luke 22:19-20 is one of the holiest moments in Christianity. It is when Jesus instituted the eucharist and spoke of his coming sacrifice. The depiction of this scene by Da Vinci is among the most revered, sacred images to Christians around the world. If the theme of the Olympics is a call for world unity, why would the French Olympic organizers choose such a divisive depiction as a centerpiece for the opening ceremony to be displayed on a world stage?
Dr. David Filson, Interim Pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church summed it up this way. “Domination, not toleration, has always been the goal. Christians should not be surprised by this. That this happened there is at least consistent with the trajectories of Sartre, de Beauvoir, Lyotard, and Foucault. And, I appreciate the fact that they are so clearly naming their perception of the enemy of critical theory ideology – Christianity.”
The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. The man responsible for its rebirth was a Frenchman named Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who presented the idea in 1894. The Charter of the Olympics state that: “The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.” Olympic Charter at p. 8.
The irony could not be more pronounced. The divisive degradation of Christianity during the 2024 opening ceremony has led to widespread criticism from Catholics and Protestant leaders around the world, including several church leaders within France. The French Bishops’ Conference released a statement saying “this ceremony unfortunately included scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity, which we deeply regret. We would like to thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us.”
Regrettably, these views are not shared by the highest-ranking members of the French government. French President Emmanuel Macron defended the controversial opening ceremonies saying “Thanks to Thomas Jolly (the openly gay organizer of the ceremony) and his creative genius for this grandiose ceremony. Thank you to the artists for this unique and magical moment.”
As Pastor Filson points out, the modern culture’s attack on Christianity should come as no surprise. In Matthew 5:10-11, Jesus said: “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” We are reminded also in 1 John 3:13: “Do not marvel if the world hates you.” Evil has a jealous hatred for good. As a constitutional attorney defending religious liberty, I have witnessed this in courtrooms across the country when representing those arrested and persecuted for their faith in Christ.
The Olympics, tarnished as this institution may be from this spectacle, still represents the highest in human ideals. It serves these ideals by providing a unique opportunity for people of all races, colors, religions and cultures to lay aside their differences and contribute to building a peaceful and better world through competitive sports without discrimination.
Larry L. Crain, Crain Law Group – www.crainlaw.legal
