Star Wars fans - Vivo City Singapore held special not-to-be-missed displays! Just before the launch of the latest Star Wars movie, all the excitement was drummed up here.
Life size Stormtroopers greet you at the entrance to the Star Wars exhibits, guns all at the ready.
Fans of the epic movie will surely enjoy the set-up, whether you are a young initiate to the series or an original Eipsode IV, 80's follower who grew up with space exploration Star Wars style.
Life size Stormtroopers
I found the Stormtrooper displays most impressive and the creators of action figures this time really went blue skying with all the variations in gear and stances.
Stormtrooper action figure.
There were action figures from life size down to about 5 cm, from ultra realistic to kiddie versions, plus the premium Royal Selangor Star Wars pewter models (check the link to view images) were on display here.
Here you get a preview of what to expect from the movie in terms of new characters in new gear, while still having the familiar characters like Chewbacca and Boba Fett the bounty hunter.
Boba Fett action figure.
How has Star Wars captivated the hearts of fans worldwide, running into it's fourth decade now? Of course the adventure is cool! And you get transported into new worlds and amazing technology and capability you had not even imagined! New space crafts, light sabers that could cut through objects like butter (models on sale for $49 or $170 for a premium version), and of course... the incredible, elusive, inviting power of The Force!
Stormtrooper action figure, one of many variations.
But is there more to this fascination? Many kids and even adults have longed for there to be truth behind the stories... That they could themselves become Jedi, powerful, purposeful!
But is this possible?
Stormtrooper action figure with laser at the level.
I believe the creators of Star Wars were hitting on deep spiritual truths, much more than they expected or would like to elaborate. The analogies are not complete, and like all analogies are not perfectly consistent. But here you will see that the representations are unmistakable. Here is a list of key analogies.
1. Luke Skywalker was a smallish, regular kind of guy with some special abilities. His Uncle didn't want him to be involved in battles against the evil Empire but just wanted him to work the farm. He had a deep sense for justice and couldn't stand evil getting it's way. He doesn't wait around but does what he can. He was a good shot from his youth. He then becomes a giant slayer, slaying the huge Death Star with a single shot. He becomes a disciple of Obi Wan Kenobi. He gradually discovers his potential, and learns to operate under the guidance and strength of The Force. Sounds a lot like King David, who started as a lowly shepherd who tackles lions and bears, and couldn't stand the giant Goliath who blasphemed God and taunted the people and armies of God David takes down Goliath with a single stone projectile. David was a good looking guy, though his father at first couldn't think he would be appointed to greatness. He was a good shot from the start. He becomes a mighty and valiant warrior and performs many exploits by the power of God (check the link to Psalm 18 and see how David's description of his relationship with God and what God enables him to do could be how Luke Skywalker describes what he could do with The Force), people felt honoured to fight at his side, he becomes King and is highly honoured.
Stormtrooper with a Sith Lord at his back.
2. The evil Empire with it's Sith lords operates under a hierarchical structure, with different Dark Side practitioners having different powers. They quite plainly represent evil powers and dark spiritual forces. The powers are supposedly the dark equivalent of the true Force, and so the misled disciples believe, but they are just deceived. Their collective end goal is death and destruction.
Ephesians 6:12 says that Satan and the demons also occupy positions of authority and operate under hierarchies. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”Ephesians 6:12 NASB
Their purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. Here Jesus is speaking: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 NASB
There is really a temptation to go over to the dark side, to be captivated through philosophy and empty deception, but truth and true life and wisdom and power are in Christ.
There is really power with the enemy. But greater power is in us, through Christ Jesus.
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 NIV.
Boba Fett all geared up.
3. Yoda, is some kind of type (a typification, a theological terminology) of Jesus Christ. Wait, wait, I'm NOT speaking blasphemy, this is just an analogy! In a similar way, King David in the Bible was a type of Christ, some of his actions, characters and experiences gave us a preview of Christ, but David's whole life didn't copy or align with Christ, he was just a type. For example, David was the first to be a king, priest and prophet in one person; he was also a shepherd, in both these cases he gave a preview of Jesus, The Good Shepherd. So how was Yoda a type of Christ, what are the similarities?
In the original series, Yoda first breaks into the scene in The Empire Strikes Back, which was Episode V, the second release of the series. Before that he was just a voice in Star Wars Episode IV where there would be scenes where the Jedi discipler Obi Wan would be overheard by his Padawan or Jedi Apprentice Luke, speaking to Yoda. In a similar way a young Christian or someone not yet born again may see a friend or a more mature Christian praying and speaking intelligibly with Jesus, seemingly having relationship where one could converse, consult, seek guidance from a person you could not physically see. This is akin to prayer. (Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7.)
An X-Wing Fighter right at home in Changi Airport Singapore.
When Yoda first appears physically to Luke, he was not recognised as the great Jedi Master. He was not esteemed to have any special capability or "relationship" with the Force and was even belittled. This was like Christ not being recognised when He first appeared on earth to save mankind. (He [Jesus Christ] was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. John 1:10,11.)
Yoda is not impressive in appearance nor a sight to behold. That's why he was overlooked when Luke first met him. In the same way Jesus was not majestic in outward appearance. Yet He was God in the flesh and paid for our sins.
(“For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:2-5 NASB)
An X-Wing fighter at Changi Airport Singapore.
4. We tap into the Force by faith, by believing. We see this in Yoda training Luke as a Jedi. In one of the great tests where Luke is asked to use the Force to lift the X-Wing fighter from the swamp, Luke is exasperated and says it can't be done. He is then challenged and musters enough inspiration to try, but he fails and is convinced the X-wing fighter is too huge an object. Yoda then proceeds to demonstrate, almost putting into the cinema the very words or Christ when he said to the disciples - "Because of the littleness of your faith (you couldn't do it); for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.” Matthew 17:20 NASB
The importance of believing in The Force and walking in it's power sounds much like the Bible's teaching that our faith determines our position with God and that we can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. It's not our works that determine our relationship with God. On the other hand, if you are in Christ, you have tremendous dynamite-power to accomplish much.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,” John 1:12 NASB
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8, 10 NASB
Chewbacca, well-loved marksman, protector, mechanic and long-time friend of Han Solo. A key Star Wars character from Episode IV.
Jesus also said of the power and authority of followers of Jesus - Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:16-18.
R2D2 at Changi Terminal. Another well-loved navigator and controller droid from Episode IV. R2D2 is a do-it-all computer on wheels.
And so the appeal of Star Wars is likely hinged at least in part on people's desire and inkling that there is more to life than just what we see in the common every day. That there is a grand, interstellar battle between forces of good and evil. That we are actually players, though many choose to be passive rather than take active part as soldiers and officers.
Know of other analogies between Star Wars and true spiritual battles and kingdoms? Let me know! Please post a comment!
Some clear difference though - God is not an impersonal Force, but a person we can relate to as our Heavenly Father. Also, though we struggle with evil people, spirits and their actions, the truth is that the war is already won, and we know from Revelations that he enemies of God and Jesus Christ, those who reject Him, are sentenced to eternal destruction.
Model Stormtroopers a mere 5 cm tall but surprisingly well detailed. A great-value Star Wars memento at less than SG $20!
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:11-13
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelations 21:6-8
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