The Prize Fight for Liberty

          “I must break you,” growled Ivan Drago in the opening of the epic bout in the classic 1985 boxing film “Rocky IV.” This film told an allegory of our struggle in the world today. The prize fight today, illustrated by this movie, is between the spirit of liberty and the spirit of communism. Rocky’s hometown was Philadelphia: the birthplace of liberty. There is a spirit of communism hovering over the multitudes now, seeking to break our freedom. We are in the opening round of a very real, up-close and personal collision and the prize being contended for is the liberty of all.

The Fighters

The movie “Rocky IV” began with the fighter Ivan Drago and entourage traveling to the United States for a demonstration to the media of Soviet superiority and strength. The Soviets had been using new technology and steroid injections to create this giant. Apollo Creed challenged the Soviet camp to an exhibition match, to which they agreed. On the day of the match, Creed came into the ring with an intense display of patriotism and national pride. He dressed up as Uncle Sam and comes into the ring during a live James Brown concert. Creed was badly beaten in the fight and, upon refusing to throw in the towel, Drago stuck him a fatal blow. Ivan Drago’s cold indifference to Apollo’s death frustrated Rocky. Rocky was devastated by the loss of his friend and challenged Ivan to a fight. Rocky was forced to give up his championship belt for an unsanctioned fight in Moscow. His wife Adrian did not approve which left Rocky further discouraged. 

Rocky traveled to Russia to train prior to the fight. He struggled to get started in his training In a sudden change of heart, Adrian showed up to encourage him. The unity of his bride pushed Rocky to the next level of inspiration he needed. Rocky went into the fight with Ivan Drago outmatched in both size and stature. The pro-Soviet crowd jeered at Rocky in support of their fighter. Rocky was knocked down several times during the first eleven rounds. At the beginning of the twelfth round, Rocky won the crowd over with his resolve and continual confrontation of this giant. “Rocky! Rocky! Rocky!” chanted the Soviet people in the final 3 rounds. Rocky comes at Ivan Drago with his hands down in the fifteenth round, allowing Ivan to beat on him continually for the first minute. Suddenly, in a surge of energy, Rocky sent a flurry of punches at Drago, finally knocking him out. The giant Soviet collapsed in the corner in defeat. 

Spiritual Significance

Liberty can be described in comparison to a lacy crystal figurine. Just like liberty, these figurines are fragile, carefully put together, and kept in places of reverence because of their value. These elegant works are prized by collectors all over the world. The spirit of communism has liberty as it’s prize in mind. If the spirit of communism succeeds in taking away liberty from the multitudes, the devil has a trophy for his shelf. Ultimately, the state becomes the god, enslaving people to one train of thought: absolute obedience. Just as the giant, Goliath, pronounced to the Israelites, the spirit of communism has a similar goal: 

If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then will we become your slaves; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you will become our slaves and serve us. 1 Samuel 17:9 TLV

The spirit of communism’s mindset is presumptive of the motive of its opposition. The paranoid thoughts of distrust towards others becomes the projection of the enemy due to its own evil nature.

          This false god has many names and tentacles to it. Darwinism, communism, Stalinism, Leninism, Marxism, secularism, and atheism are all included in the tentacles of this beast. Take note that four of the seven tentacles mentioned above are the names of men. Like a chameleon, the many forms of this beast can be found camouflaged throughout society. It hides behind other things which, perhaps, came with good intentions. However, much like the Tower of Babel (built to elevate the greatness of men), these systems will all collapse  in time. The distortion and destruction communism creates in the world has been well documented throughout the 20^th century. The estimates vary, however, most reports indicate Stalin and Mao were responsible for between 30-50 million deaths each through their various instruments of evil. 

Our Hope

          The plot of the movie “Rocky IV” displayed the hope liberty gives us. At the end of the match, the Soviet people saw the resolve Rocky had after taking a beating. The pain and spilling of blood he endured were not for him. The fight was for his brother Apollo who was slain by the heartless giant. They stopped sneering at Rocky and begin to cheer for him as Ivan Drago wore down. It only took one man to overcome the spirit of communism with Rocky’s persistent and resilient heart. This is not unlike the story of our savior, Jesus Christ.

          As further encouragement, Sylvester Stallone wrote each of the Rocky movies using divine inspiration. Stallone grew up in Catholic and, upon moving to Hollywood, found himself slipping back into sin. He felt a sense of rebirth during the writing and filming each of these boxing movies. The opening scene of the first “Rocky” film shows him training in an old church converted to a boxing gym with Jesus looking down over him. Stallone stated in an interview with CBN about these movies, “This is a story of faith, integrity, and victory. Jesus is the inspiration for anyone to go the distance.”  Sylvester Stallone’s interview with his testimony to Pat Robertson can be found on The 700 Club’s YouTube channel.  It seems the Lord sewed this story into Sylvester Stallone’s heart to encourage us then and now. Recently, Stallone has written the story for “Rocky VII”.  The film has not been produced yet. Seven in Biblical numerology is God’s number for completion.

          Rocky’s hometown in the movie series was Philadelphia. This city is known as the cradle of liberty and the city of brotherly love. Philadelphia is also home to the NBAs’ 76er’s, home to the NFLs’ Eagles, home of the liberty bell. and the name itself is mentioned in the Bible. Here are the complete, very encouraging, words of Jesus Christ to the church of Philadelphia:

To the angel of Messiah’s community in Philadelphia write: “Thus says the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens:I know your deeds. Behold, I have set before you an open door that no one is able to shut—because you have little power, but you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan—who say they are Jewish and are not, but lie—behold, I will cause them to come and bow down before your feet, so that they acknowledge that I have loved you!

“Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth.I am coming soon—hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he will never leave it. And on him I will write the name of My God and the name of the city of My God—the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God—and My own new Name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Ruach is saying to Messiah’s communities.” Revelation 3:7-13 TLV

What can we do?

The spirit of communism has a single trophy in mind: our liberty. First, to win this fight, we must hit the enemy back with worship and prayer to displace this evil spirit hovering over the earth. Through prayer, obedience, and perseverance, God’s glory will overwhelm this “Goliath”. To hear the Lord’s voice clearly and accurately is the most important goal we have. This comes from devoting our hearts and minds to Him. His guidance is the priority. Second, we must educate ourselves about the methods communism uses to take over. Rick Joyner’s book “Marxism’s Strategy for Destroying America” and Nicholas Papanicolaou’s book “Bring Down That Wall” illustrate the historical events and techniques of this beast coming after our liberty. Third, and finally, we must get involved locally to displace the specter of this enemy from our schools, our church body, our local governments, and our public avenues of influence. Small streams form large streams, which turn into rivers, and finally dump into the sea (multitudes). 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

Conclusion

The fight against communism is going to go the full length and to the bell each round. The Body is going to seem cornered and badly beaten at times. Liberty may seem to be slipping from our grasp into the hand of the enemy. However, we have a “Rocky” in our corner. He is the Rock of Ages, an unfailing source of strength for us to endure to the final round. The Lord is our cornerstone and this enemy will be knocked out. The script is written, the actors are in place, and “Rocky VII” will be coming to theaters near us soon. The Lord will complete this production with victory and bring home the championship belt to His bride!  

But the Master, God, has something to say to this:

“Watch closely. I’m laying a foundation in Zion, a solid granite foundation, squared and true. And this is the meaning of the stone: a trusting life won’t topple.
I’ll make justice the measuring stick and righteousness the plumb line for the building. A hailstorm will knock down the shantytown of lies, and a flash flood will wash out the rubble. Isaiah 28:16-17 MSG