Wonder Woman Hints of Glory
© Withgod | Dreamstime.com – Poster Of Wonder Woman In Malaysian Cinema Photo
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I’M A SKEPTIC AT HEART. But I’m also aware that God speaks through all forms of media, secular and nonsecular — books, movies, art, music — and pretty much anything He chooses to use as a mouthpiece. The rocks would cry out His praise if we didn’t. The earth and all that’s in it belongs to Him, therefore nothing can silence Him (Psalm 24). The greatness of our Creator-God is so vast and uncontainable that snippets and shadows of His Heavenly realities will seep out through the most unexpected things. Remember Balaam’s donkey.
That said, I was so moved in my spirit by the 2017 film “Wonder Woman,” that I wanted to share. Upon entering the theater, my friend and I prayed to see with spiritual eyes and hear anything God might be saying. We were not disappointed!
J.A.’s take on “Wonder Woman”
Whether Hollywood intended this or God supernaturally orchestrated it, the movie opens with shadows of 2 biblical, foundational realities:
1) Ares, god of war, tried to overtake Olympus (heaven), and Zeus kicked him out. Ares settled on earth. Sound familiar?
2) The story characters state that Zeus’s daughter Diana was “formed out of the soil.” Princess Diana was raised on earth outside of her father’s presence and initially unaware she was god’s daughter. Sound familiar, again?
These two background premises set the stage for wonder. (Like many of you, I immerse myself in the Word of God and therefore am not ‘fooled’ by the Greek mythological nonsense.)
Other interestingly symbolic stuff
More than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Princess Diana trains in paradise to later become a warrior in the real world. Throughout the movie, she slowly discovers her true god-given identity as an unconquerable heroine. As her mother says, “you were made for this purpose” (We are all created for good works! Ephesians 2:10). Diana aims to fight in a war to end all wars against Ares, god of war (devil)…well, wars and rumors of wars maybe. But bear with me here, because we are engaged in a major war for the hearts and souls of men.
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” Deuteronomy 30:19
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:17). The deluded Ares boasts how he merely had to ‘whisper’ in human ears, suggesting evil ideas. He understands that both evil and good live in men. Some choose to listen to Ares (Satan), and thus live out his destructive schemes.
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing;
therefore choose life, that both you
and your descendants may live”
Deuteronomy 30:19 (emphasis mine)
Weapons. Diana Prince lives for and fights for justice, truth (and righteousness?). Her heart is passionately moved by the plight of the oppressed. She’s armed with a shield, a sword, indestructible bracelets (which have many meanings), and a lasso of absolute truth.
Put on the full armor! (Ephesians 6:11-17)
AT THE END of the movie, Princess Diana notes, “I glimpsed the darkness that lives within their light. I learned that inside every one of them, there will always be both. The choice each must make for themselves.” Her final line speaks her heart. “It’s about what you believe. And I believe in love. Only love will truly save the world.”
What my spirit heard when she spoke that last line is, “I believe. And I am choosing to fight this spiritual battle as an extension of Love; God is Love.” Her last line melded the need for warriors to align themselves with God’s character, heart, nature, His “will be done, His kingdom come on earth” through His church. And this will be amplified when Israel comes into her fullness.
“Now if their (Israel’s) transgression leads to riches for the world, and their loss riches for the Gentiles, then how much more their fullness!” Romans 11:12, emphasis mine.
Ultimately, I see the heroine Wonder Woman as reflective of God’s blessed Israel in her future glory. Some might argue that Wonder Woman is a shadow of the Bride of Christ in her coming glory. The clincher for me was discovering that actress Gal Gadot is Jewish. She’s not just a Jew, but an Israeli Jew — and that’s not a coincidence.
The movie held many other small symbolic elements. Although I’m not a comic book hero fan, I’m thinking about watching it again to see what else I can catch.
What about you?
What’s your take on “Wonder Woman”?
Is there another movie you believe holds an undercover message?
The Way of the Embattled Spirit
